“By this shall all men know that you are My disciples—if you have love one to another.”
John 13:35
It’s truly “Life’s Litmus Test” and unmistakable evidence that He’s Present.
“By this shall all men know that you are My disciples—if you have love one to another.”
John 13:35
It’s truly “Life’s Litmus Test” and unmistakable evidence that He’s Present.
During those precious hours in the upper room after Jesus’ final Passover meal with His disciples, He washed the disciples’ feet (Jn. 13:1-11) and then asked “Do you realize what I’ve just done to you?” (v.12b). And, for the next several minutes He imparted to them (and us) some life-changing truths that will transform our lives, families, church, etc., if we’ll let them.
When He shared more about His upcoming departure (vv.31-33), He knew it’d not be until after His Resurrection and Ascension that they’d finally begin to understand what He was talking about. Their hearts were too heavy and their ears too “dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11-14) to grasp the essence of His words.
Yet, He probably caught their attention a bit more when He said “A new Commandment I give unto you: That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (v.34). They knew they were to “love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength” (Mt. 22:37). They’d learned that from the time of a child (Dt. 6:4ff). They also knew they were supposed to “love their neighbor as themselves” (Mt. 22:39). Jesus had repeatedly talked about this during His 3 ½ year earthly ministry (Lk. 10:30-37).
But, now He added a new dimension to all of this: “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples—if you have love one to another.” And, this would later be qualified even more when He said “to love each other AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” (Jn. 15:12). That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote Phil 2:5-11 and I Cor. 13 as “Pilgrim Primers”—for they help us better understand how to do this.
Sadly, too many professing Christians and churches are disobedient in this area.
They are organizations, not living organisms. They have “a form of Godliness, but deny the power thereof” (II Tim. 3:5a). Formality is their friend, not those “who are sinners,” for whom Jesus died. Their gathering is more like a social club than it is a “birthing room” and ICU for those wounded mentally, emotionally and spiritually by the Fall.
Then they wonder why they’re not growing or why there’s no closeness in their group.
True Life and Light always travel in the company of true Love (Jn. 1:1-18). Forgiveness and ready-acceptance are quite evident when the Redeemed gather. . .and even when they’re apart. And, like a moth to the flame, lost people are attracted to them—for they see in them something they so desperately need/want in their own lives.
So, take a reality check right now:
Do others know you’re a Christian by the way you interact with them? Are you moody and standoffish? Critical and condemning? Or, are you warm and inviting where Jesus’ Love is readily seen in your eyes, tone of voice, actions, etc? Remember: Others will not care what we know until they know that we care. Therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to remove anything in your life that’s keeping Jesus hidden from view; then, watch Him work
During those precious hours in the upper room after Jesus’ final Passover meal with His disciples, He washed the disciples’ feet (Jn. 13:1-11) and then asked “Do you realize what I’ve just done to you?” (v.12b). And, for the next several minutes He imparted to them (and us) some life-changing truths that will transform our lives, families, church, etc., if we’ll let them.
When He shared more about His upcoming departure (vv.31-33), He knew it’d not be until after His Resurrection and Ascension that they’d finally begin to understand what He was talking about. Their hearts were too heavy and their ears too “dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11-14) to grasp the essence of His words.
Yet, He probably caught their attention a bit more when He said “A new Commandment I give unto you: That you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (v.34). They knew they were to “love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength” (Mt. 22:37). They’d learned that from the time of a child (Dt. 6:4ff). They also knew they were supposed to “love their neighbor as themselves” (Mt. 22:39). Jesus had repeatedly talked about this during His 3 ½ year earthly ministry (Lk. 10:30-37).
But, now He added a new dimension to all of this: “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples—if you have love one to another.” And, this would later be qualified even more when He said “to love each other AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” (Jn. 15:12). That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote Phil 2:5-11 and I Cor. 13 as “Pilgrim Primers”—for they help us better understand how to do this.
Sadly, too many professing Christians and churches are disobedient in this area.
They are organizations, not living organisms. They have “a form of Godliness, but deny the power thereof” (II Tim. 3:5a). Formality is their friend, not those “who are sinners,” for whom Jesus died. Their gathering is more like a social club than it is a “birthing room” and ICU for those wounded mentally, emotionally and spiritually by the Fall.
Then they wonder why they’re not growing or why there’s no closeness in their group.
True Life and Light always travel in the company of true Love (Jn. 1:1-18). Forgiveness and ready-acceptance are quite evident when the Redeemed gather. . .and even when they’re apart. And, like a moth to the flame, lost people are attracted to them—for they see in them something they so desperately need/want in their own lives.
So, take a reality check right now:
Do others know you’re a Christian by the way you interact with them? Are you moody and standoffish? Critical and condemning? Or, are you warm and inviting where Jesus’ Love is readily seen in your eyes, tone of voice, actions, etc? Remember: Others will not care what we know until they know that we care. Therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to remove anything in your life that’s keeping Jesus hidden from view; then, watch Him work.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated June 28, 2009
