Devotional
In a world filled with religious symbols and identifiers, Jesus gave His followers just one distinctive mark: love. Not special clothing or dietary restrictions. Not secret handshakes or exclusive gatherings. Just love—radical, self-giving, Christ-like love for one another. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This wasn’t a suggestion or a good idea—it was a command, and it was new. Not because love itself was new, but because the standard was new. We are to love as Jesus loved us—sacrificially, unconditionally, actively. This love isn’t just for those who are easy to love. It’s for the difficult people, the ones who hurt us, the ones who don’t deserve it. It’s for the people within our church family and those outside it. It’s for the people who agree with us and those who don’t. When we love like this—when we put others’ needs before our own, when we serve without expecting recognition, when we forgive those who have wronged us—we make the invisible God visible. We show the world what Jesus is like. We demonstrate that we belong to Him. In Acts 11, we learn that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” in Antioch. But before they were called Christians, they were known simply as “disciples”—students and followers of Jesus. And the primary lesson they learned from their Master was how to love. May that be true of us as well.
Bible Verse
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
Reflection Question
If the people in your community were asked to identify the defining characteristic of your church, would they say it’s love? Why or why not?
Quote
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another.”
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the privilege of being Your disciple. Forgive me for the times when I’ve been known more for my opinions, preferences, or judgments than for my love. Help our church to be so marked by love that our community can’t help but notice. Let our love for one another be the unmistakable evidence that we belong to You. Amen.
