John 13:35
”By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Some call us believers. Others call us Christians, born again, converts, and even proselytes. Nothing is wrong with any of these titles at all, and certainly there is Scripture to bring validity to all of them. However, Jesus calls us disciples: a follower or student of a teacher, a leader.
What are we? What do we consider ourselves? Are we simply carrying a title to make us look good or appease our conscience? All of us are following something or someone in a message we have bought into or will buy into before life is over.
Jesus employs unusual rhetoric when He declares how we are known, not because we are walking with, following, or even having a discussion with someone. I am not declared a disciple just because I carry a Bible, know the rules, or can quote Scripture forward and backward.
Jesus says I am known by the love we have one to another. Let me emphasize, “love,” not “accept.” Acceptance is not love. True love is when one can love another even when they do not accept the life/lifestyle of their neighbor.
Love? The kind of love that does not support wrong, but draws one to follow Christ, a Christlike love that says, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” The kind of love that says, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents.” This was done for the glory of God. The kind of love that steps to the tomb of dead things and says, “Lazarus, come forth,” even when time and circumstance are against us. Can I ask, do you have what it takes to be a disciple—the ability to hold on against all odds and love one to Christ?
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize the power of the true love of God.