And All Will Know

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

There are many quotes regarding evangelism. One very common quote stands out; it is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi is, “Preach the Gospel at all time and if necessary use words.” The Gospel message is based on the love of God, and the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated at the cross.

How do you know God has loved you? He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for your sins. God has loved all mankind without discrimination and without reservation. People that have accepted and benefited from this love now are commanded to love one another in this same way.

This amazing gift of love was not earned or deserved but offered universally to all people. The right response to having freely received this love is obedience. In obedience, the one who has received the love of God, in turn, is now mandated to love one another the same way they have been loved by Jesus. Just as God is recognized by the way He loves, Christ Followers are to be recognized by the way they love one another. In fact, the presence of love defines who the child of God is, and the absence of love defines that the person in question doesn’t even know God. John would develop on this later in his first epistle:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7–8)

How can I love like Jesus? Forgive, sacrifice, pray for people, tell others about God’s love, and be humble like Jesus. Unconditional love for others will help them know that God cares for them and you. As a disciple of Jesus we have the privilege of demonstrating that kind of love for one another.

Pastor Cary Wacker


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