The Mark of a Disciple

“By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love one for another” (John 13:35).
Tina Turner had a song back in the 80’s that asked the question, “What’s Love Got to do With it?” Truthfully, love has everything to do with it. There is nothing that reveals the true you like how you treat other people. The apostle Paul said it doesn’t really matter how significant you think you are and how gifted you claim to be, if you don’t operate with genuine love for others you are nothing more than an annoying noise maker (1 Cor.13).
How are we to love? Jesus said in verse 34, “A new command I give to you, love one another as I have loved you.” There it is, if you want to know how to love as we are commanded to love just study the life of Jesus because He gave left us an example of love. His love is a sacrificial love…He willingly laid down His life for us. His love is merciful…He doesn’t give us what we deserve and His love is unconditional…He accepts us with warts and all.
This is how He commands us to love others. This is so difficult and can only be accomplished as we remain in Him, connected to the life-flow from the vine. Our life will take on an entirely new dimension if we learn to love as He loved us. Why not give it a try? What if we loved as He loved; would our world change? I think the answer is a resounding “yes” in a short amount of time.
Try it this week, love like He loved, act like He acted and live like He lived; watch what happens.

I Love You!
Pastor Mike