While the actual passages from John's first epistle are not as familiar as the presentation story, the message is - walk the talk, show me, just do it.  It is hard to improve on the fundamental reality that authenticity requires action consonant with beliefs.  This is true for individuals and institutions.  Whenever I confront a call to challenge my steadfastness, I welcome it for the opportunity it gives me to consider the current direction of my life.  It is so easy to envelop ourselves in righteousness while we interpose callousness between our hearts and the call we receive from Jesus.  John reminds us this is simple, and not new - love our brother.  This isn't a conditional message, nor one with a hidden meaning.  It is clear and direct.  This is the hardest thing I do in my life, and frequently I don't do it well.  I thank God for the grace of reflecting on how to do more, and ask for the resolve to follow my heart and not my head.