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

My high school composition teacher told our class, “The amount you love is dependent on how willing you are to be hurt.” I must say, when she first told us this, I brushed it into the corner of my mind not believing a word of it. However, as I lived and learned, I found she was exactly right. Truly loving someone requires vulnerability. As we have learned, being vulnerable means exposed and susceptible. This sounds terrible! However, letting down our protective fences, trusting others with our emotions, and sharing life’s ups and downs, can all be beautiful blessings. Loving one another is not easy, but loving others can be our greatest testimony of our relationship with Christ. Love is how others will know we are His disciple. 

Spend some time examining your relationships with others. Do others see the love of Christ in your interactions? Is it evident you are His disciple in your reactions and responses? Be aware today as you are around others. Be intentional about showing God’s love so others will know you are His disciple.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes to my actions and reactions. May all that I say and do today be done with love so others will know I am Your disciple. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen