LOVE is a Fruit of Discipleship
11 November 2024
ENCOURAGE
Affirmation: "Christ is known by how I love."
As Christians, we tend to emphasize the call in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies, yet we often neglect the commands to love one another who are already in the Body. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to love one another as Jesus loved us, and this has been a struggle since early church days due to divisions, strife, and ideological differences that continue on today. We must mature in Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, putting on love and keeping Christ (who is LOVE) above all things.
In John chapter 13, Jesus emphasizes to His disciples the new commandment to love one another as He has loved them, and shares with them that all [people] will know they are His disciples by how they [the disciples] love one another. Our behavior is evidence of what we believe. If we do not love each other, that only demonstrates a lack of faith, obedience, character capacity, and submission to our Lord. As Believers, our behavior also demonstrates our level of discipleship. Since we are ambassadors of Christ, which means representatives of Christ, it is easy to identify when we are and when we are not living aligned to His will, ways, and commandments. As the scriptures say, "you will know them by their fruit" (Matthew 7:20).
I want you to know that how you love the brethren is a fruit of true discipleship. It is likened to a counterfeit test for money. Just like a cashier may mark a $50 or $100 bill to ensure that it's authentic, the way we treat one another in the Body and outside the Body is a mark of our discipleship. The hope is that our lives, character, and ultimately our love prove us to be authentic, not counterfeit followers of Jesus, but sadly this isn't always the case.
How we love, or fail to love one another, points back to Jesus. This is why some people have a skewed view of God and Christianity, because we can sometimes be such poor ambassadors that we paint a false image of Jesus to the world. We've all been guilty of this, including me. On the other hand, when we live in love, peace, joy, and righteousness, truly set apart from the ways of this wicked and divided world, we point to the real Christ we know and love, who is revealed in the scriptures. In the end, God spoke for Himself. His testimony (Jesus) is enough. My prayer is that despite our flaws or differences as the global Body of Christ, that we come together on the foundation of our Solid Rock and that, if not by the example of our love for one another, the world comes to know Him through His Word, His love, and by the Spirit of God Himself.
So, my friend, as you go through this week, I want you to think about how you treat your brothers and sisters in Christ and what that says about the kind of disciple you are. Are you demonstrating the unconditional, sacrificial love of Christ to other members of the Body? Sit with this question and let the Holy Spirit reveal your own heart to you.
EQUIP
Meditation Scriptures:
John 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 13, then study the definitions of each attribute of love described in verses 4-8.
1 John 4:7-11
Colossians 3:8-17
BUILD
Call to Action: This week, choose a brother or sister in Christ to love on and show your appreciation for.
Ideas:
write out a prayer and send it to them or have a prayer call
share a meal together
host or attend a bible study together
do a fun activity together
offer an act of kindness (give a gift, write a personal note, send a surprise)
watch a sermon together and share takeaways
meet a need they have (bless them with your time, help, finances)
