John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is of course a very famous passage. The only trouble is, our definition of love, and our ideas of how to express it. We don’t think sufficiently about how Jesus loved His disciples. This was in no way a squishy, feely-feely sort of thing, but firm and practical, saying the hard things when necessary, but in no way stinting on encouragement and affection. Some churches have this, and some manifestly do not. Some of the churches that talk most about love actually lose sight of Jesus’ love to a tragic degree, excusing and even affirming behaviors that are not only unbiblical, but downright destructive. (Actually, every unbiblical behavior is ultimately destructive, but we tend to ignore that.) The thing is, when Jesus’ love is indeed manifested in a body of believers, it is enormously attractive even to those outside the church. We get tied in knots over methods of evangelism, when the Biblical pattern is simply to speak the truth in love. If we tell people they are headed for hell, however manifestly true that might be, without loving them, we will drive them away and cause them to hate us. However, if we try to love them without letting them know the consequences of rejecting Christ, that is actually not loving at all. On the other hand, “hellfire and brimstone” preaching is effective only in very special circumstances! If we express Jesus’ love to one another within the Church, then the world will indeed take notice, just as Jesus said. And, since being loved is one of the most fundamental human needs, people will be drawn to inquire how they too can be included in this family of love.

I was blessed to be raised in a healthy, loving family, but not everyone has that advantage. Some people are so damaged by their earthly parents that they can’t conceive of a genuinely loving Heavenly Father. I am to recognize that, and seek to be a consistent example of Jesus’ love, even when people don’t recognize it for what it is. I have had successes and failures in that area. Recently, one man was so scarred from his background that he was offended by a mistake of mine to the point that he left the church, and apologies have had no discernable effect. On the other hand, there’s another man who is absolutely captivated by the love he experiences through us, and though he doesn’t feel he understands things sufficiently to be baptized, he doesn’t miss a service. I’m expecting him to confess Jesus as his Lord in fairly short order! As a pastor/teacher, I am to express Christ in every part of my life, and that certainly means love. My own love is definitely not up to the task, so I’ve got to let His love flow through me. If I will do that, then people will indeed be brought to repentance and faith, for their salvation and God’s glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the various opportunities You have been and are giving us to express Your love on this trip. Thank You for the Indian hotel clerk in Louisville who was so taken by Cathy and me, and that I could give her my card. May she so desire the love she saw in us that she seeks out another pastor who will lead her to You. Thank You that we are safely in Virginia, and for all the love that has already been expressed to us. May we consistently express Your love in return, so that people may be built up and drawn closer to You, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!