What is to be thought of ‘love’ unaccompanied by good works?

Love that does not issue in acts of mercy, when opportunity arises, is not real: true love naturally shows itself in good works, as the Lord teaches: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me… if anyone loves me, he will keep my word” (Joh 14:21, 23; see Q383).

The beloved Apostle, “who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper,” warns: “this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments” (1Jo 5:3; see Q480); “let us not love only in word or speech, but in deed and truth” (1Jo 3:18).