The Identifying Mark
“By this all will know that you are My disciples” is the way verse 35 of John 13 begins. Do you know how it ends? This is the commentary on a new commandment that was given to Christians in the previous verse.
How we conduct ourselves as believers in our daily lives is crucial to the effectiveness of our witness for Jesus Christ. The words of our Savior quoted above need special attention. He is teaching us that whether or not we are recognized as Christians is dependent upon something. The “something” is revealed in the rest of the verse: “if you have love for one another.” Listen carefully! This does not say that the world will know we are Jesus’ disciples by our love for them. It clearly states that our love demonstrated toward each other as Christians will identify us as belonging to Christ. There are many nonbelievers in the world who show unselfish love to those in need. But those same people express selfishness when relating to one another. The church should not be this way. Every true believer serves the same Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. All have received God’s grace in the midst of their sin. All are made one in Him through the blood of the cross. Yet, each Christian is at a different place on his or her spiritual journey toward heaven. The only way a group of believers can come to unity of the Spirit is by obeying Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Christians who disobey at this point are choosing to promote disunity in the fellowship. Agape (selfless) love can only be expressed when my eyes are off of myself and on God and others. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34) He laid His life down for us. We are to lay our lives down for each other. This is the love that witnesses in the world.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
