Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35
Going to church. Avoiding foul language. Believing in God. Are these the marks of a Christian?
If you asked people how to recognize a Christian, you’d probably get some interesting answers! Some might assume faith would show up in how a person votes or gives money. Sadly, someone would probably mention judgmentalness.
Jesus didn’t mention any of these as the way to recognize His followers. He spelled it out clearly in the Bible book of John, saying, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35). Early followers of Jesus were known for their outrageous love for each other. Here’s how the Bible describes them: “…all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people” (Acts 2:44-47).
What about us? Is love the language spoken by Christians today? Does the way we live scream love like the lives of the early Christians did? The world that Jesus referred to– those who don’t know and don’t follow Jesus, are watching. When they don’t see love, Jesus’s name is mocked.
Each of us can stop today and look around. We can ask ourselves: who is walking next to me that needs me to show love to them today? If you ask, God will show you a practical way to show His generous love to them. Jesus followers: whatever else we do or don’t do, may we be known as people who live purposeful lives of love
