Do They Know Us By Our Love?

I attended a monthly meeting this week and someone said, “They will know we are Christians by our love!” Immediately I thought of a 60’s song by that title. The song and that statement “They will know we are Christians by our love" come from John 13:35: “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”

I’ll be honest with you. There are times when I can be a little snarky – not emulating that Christian love. My disapproval of someone’s actions, even though I don’t say a word, is evident in my demeanor. I know I’m just not feeling the love for that one, but that scripture said: “have love for one another”. Lord knows I want to be that gal that loves….in spite of the way someone acts or speaks.

Of course, God, Himself, is our greatest example of loving….in spite of. His new commandment was to love each other as He loved us. It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a commandment to love one another. There is not one person Jesus does not love and did not come to save -- this includes everyone we lock eyes with, walk past on the street, hear about in the news, live next door to, stand behind in line at the grocery store, or sit next to in the waiting room. When we actively love those around us, putting their needs before our own, we are taking the same amazing love that Jesus poured out to us and become a living, breathing, beautiful display for humanity.

While many believe love is a just a nice, heart-warming feeling when everyone is nice and heartwarming, as Christians, we are called for it to be more than that -- we are called to take action. We can share God’s love by noticing the unnoticed, loving the unlovely, or even by extending grace to those who are not so easy to be around.

Putting our love into action in this month of love (and beyond) will sincerely show we are Christians by our love. Love in action is asking God to help us actively love others -- to actively walk across the street to help our neighbors, to actively cook a warm meal for a friend in need, or to actively visit a nearby nursing home to love on the elderly. His love in action through us will lead us to places where He wants us to shine His light and give us the courage and strength to share His love with all who surround us in our daily lives. And, then a love ripple effect will take place. We will guide people to His beauty and they, too, will begin to actively love others and then, who knows how many lives will be impacted?

You Are Loved, So Don’t You Dare Quit Now!

Some things just don't change.....but wouldn't it be great if they did? The first two kids, Cain and Abel, birthed from the first two parents, Adam and Eve, couldn't get along. In fact, their sibling rivalry led to the death of Abel. Fast forward to the dad, Jacob, and Joseph, his son (his favorite son -- okay, that's already screaming "TROUBLE"). Why would a dad ever favor one of his kids over the other? But he did, and little Joseph became the target of his 10 brothers -- to not just bully him but to kill him. Fortunately, their evil plot was thwarted.

Obviously, people issues -- judging, bullying, gossiping, jealousy, arguing, etc. have been a part of humanity from the beginning. It's unfortunate when we consider what all those "issues" do to people. That's why it's so important that we go to a higher level -- a place of love, concern, care, and compassion for each other. Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31. And He reiterated, in John 13:34, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."

Maybe you're the one who is being judged and bullied or lied about. Maybe you feel like no one really cares about you and you think that you don't really matter. Here's the truth about MATTER:. YOU ARE LOVED! Don't let people get inside your head to make you think otherwise. You are loved. You are a one-of-a-kind original and no matter what you think and what others say about you, God loves you so much and you are His masterpiece. If you were the only person on earth, He would still have sent His one and only Son to pay the ultimate price for YOU. That's TRUE LOVE! He took the high road. It's time for us to take the high road, too.

The psalmist says that God formed you. Formed is defined as great care and special attention. It's the picture of a potter expertly crafting his art at the potter's wheel. You and I were formed by the Creator for a purpose. And everything God forms, He fills. He formed the seas and filled it with fish. He formed man and filled him with breath. God has filled you with unique gifts and talents. He filled your spirit with a longing for more. God has filled your life with a supernatural destiny. So don't believe for one more moment you have been overlooked or forgotten by God. Don't accept the deception that destiny and purpose are for other people and not you!

You really do matter! Don’t you dare think about giving up! YOU ARE LOVED. Now, get out there and own YOU and your place on this earth, at this time, to stand out and be the best YOU, you can possibly be!