In review of John 13:35 it says, “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (NIV).
Jesus says that my Christlike love will show that I am his disciple. Do others see petty bickering, jealousy, and division within me. Or do they know I am Jesus' follower by my love for others. Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can I love others as Jesus loved me? By helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than my own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of love is hard to do. That is why people notice me when I do it and know that I am empowered by a supernatural source.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is not a cross, a crucifix, a dove, or a fish on a bumper sticker. The sign of a Christian is love. How many people know I’m a Christian because of my loving lifestyle?
We sing about love, talk about love, pray about love, and study love. But do I do it? To develop love as my life principle and make it my greatest aim, I have to take some action as soon as I finish reading this devotional. I’m going to have to take the initiative. Love acts!
First, start acting loving in my current relationships. Have I acted unloving toward someone, then it’s time to seek reconciliation. Make things right with others I’ve wronged.
Then, start increasing the number of relationships I have. If the most important aim in life is to love, I would need to build as many relationships as possible. Why? Because the world will know about God’s love by the way I love others, and especially by the way they are loved by Christians.
I will not be able to live a loving lifestyle as a hermit. I need to learn to spell love T-I-M-E. It takes time to love others. If I love my friends, I’ve got to spend time with them. If I love my daughter, son-in-law and grandson’s, I’ve got to spend time with them. If I love Jesus, I’ve got to spend time with them. Love always costs time and energy. But it’s always worth it.
Imagine what would happen if everyone in the church loved like this, if we all committed ourselves to acting in love and giving our time unselfishly so that people could experience a taste of how much God loves them? It would change the world. It would grow God’s Kingdom. It would make God so happy.
People are attracted to Christ more than they are persuaded to him. They’re attracted by the love of God shown through the people who claim to follow him. And they won’t care what I know until they first know that we care.
In summary, everyone will know that I am his disciple, if I love others. My Christlike love will show that I am his disciple. Love is more than warm feelings; it's an attitude that reveals itself in action. I learn to love others by helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than my own. To develop love as my life principle and make it my greatest aim, I'm going to have to take the initiative. Love acts! Start acting loving in my current relationships. Start increasing the number of relationships I have. The world will know about God's love by the way I love others, and especially by the way they are loved by Christ's followers. I won't be able to live a loving lifestyle as a hermit. I need to learn to spell love T-I-M-E. It takes time to love others. I need to spend time with them. Love will always cost time and energy. People are attracted to Christ more than they are persuaded to him. They won't care what I know until they first know that I care.
Christ wants me to be loving, like he is, to others. To show that I am his follower, my actions speak more than my words. To show love, I need to spend time, love when it’s not convenient, give when it hurts and devote my energy to others welfare above my own. This morning Father I pray that you and the Holy Spirit help show me times when I need to demonstrate Christ’s love to others. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.
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