Biblical Answer

When love is put to the test, what is revealed?

When love is put to the test, it is revealed whether or not it is genuine. According to 1 John 3:14, showing love to brothers and sisters in Christ is one of John's three tests to assess or know where one stands in one's Christian profession. This is because true love, in the sense of self-sacrifice, is not natural to human beings in their fallen state. Its existence in anyone is evidence of new birth and a genuine relationship with God (1 John 3:14).

Love is the surest test of having life, as it has already been shown to be the test of being in the light (2:10). When we love others, we demonstrate our love for God, and this love is a manifestation of our salvation (1 John 4:20-21). This is why John says that those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not born of God (1 John 4:20). On the other hand, when we show love to others, it is a sign of our salvation and a demonstration of our love for God.

In conclusion, when love is put to the test, it is revealed whether or not it is genuine. True love is a manifestation of our new birth and a genuine relationship with God. When we love others, we demonstrate our love for God, and this love is a sign of our salvation. Therefore, love is the final objective test of our Christian profession, and it is a crucial aspect of our relationship with God. As Jesus said, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). This is the ultimate test of our love for God and for others.