Vol. 21 No. 17 | April 29, 2019
Our identity is important to us, isn’t it? We like to know who we are and where we belong?
We wear shirts and hats to identify as fans of our favorite sports teams. Organizations hire design teams to establish and promote their identity. People get tattoos to express their style or what they believe in, on and on.
Our identity is important to us.
As Jesus prepared to finish his time here, He wanted to give His followers a philosophy to identify with as they carried on His mission.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35, NIV)
It is simple, no logo required. Just love each other. That’s it.
I’ve done my share of trying to distinguish the churches I’ve served from all the others. I’ve also spent time trying to find a creative way to stand out in the crowd. Some of it has helped, some of it has not.
Jesus’s words serve as a good reminder to me. If I want my family to be recognized as a family of God, we must love each other. If I want my church to be recognized as God’s church, we need to love each other. If I want my company to be recognized as a Godly company, then I need to develop an atmosphere where people love each other.
It’s simple, isn’t it?
So why do we have such a difficult time with it? Why do we find it so hard to, and why do we try so many other things to make it happen? Why can’t we love each other?
I suppose that’s why Jesus gave the instruction. It’s almost like He is saying, “If you miss everything else I’ve said and everything I’ve done remember this one thing: Just love each other.”
Even if we can’t control how others chose to live, we can choose how we do. We can define ourselves as agents of His Word and act with love and compassion.
This week, let’s make a commitment to approach each person we encounter with love. Let’s just start there and see what happens…
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Chick here to order Until Hope Returns.
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