Love is an action
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
John looks at his disciples as his children. At this time, he is well advanced in age. His counsel, dont let your love toward others just be in words but may they be actions. We should use words, but not just words. May they mimic and reflect truth. Dont just say you love others but prove your love to them by your actions.