January 17, 2013
By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo
The Telltale Sign
John 13:34-35
34 A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.
Let's pretend for a moment that we're "crashing" a wedding reception. We don't know the bride or groom, we've missed the ceremony, and all the formalities are done. We did, however, make it just in time for those little bacon wrapped shrimp appetizers! Nice work!
As we watch everyone interact, do you believe that it would be difficult to spot the bride and groom? If the bride is in a wedding gown, she's easily identifiable, but which one is the groom? There are so many guys in tuxedos! Well, I sure hope he's the one making googly eyes at the bride and sweeping her off her feet every chance he gets. It would be easy to spot the couple based off of their LOVE for each other.
In today's verses, Jesus says that people will be able to recognize us as His disciples when we are exhibiting love for one another. Can people easily recognize you as His disciple based on how you treat your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and complete strangers?
To be a Christian is to be "Christ-like." Jesus Christ was the greatest example of love. He willfully put His own comfort, feelings, desires and needs before ours because of the love He has for each of us, AND He expects for us to do the same.
A wonderful explanation of what He expects of our "love" is found in 1 Corinthians 13, "4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
I challenge you this morning to evaluate your relationship with God by taking a look at your relationships with others. Study these verses in 1 Corinthians 13 and examine the way you treat and show love to EVERYONE that God has brought into your life.
Dear Lord, I thank You for the unconditional love that You have shown me. I pray Lord that You would search my heart, and show me how to love others as You love them.
I also thank You, Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen
