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By This All Will Know

By Janice Taylor

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

Many years ago, as my daughter was graduating from college, a co-worker saw her photo on my desk and said, "She's in such and such sorority, isn't she?" She was! "How in the world did you know that?" I inquired. He just shrugged and said, "She has that look. They all have that same hair-never a hair out of place. She is beautiful-- they are all beautiful; she is at the top of her class-they are all smart; she just has that look." I am proud to say she was and still is all of those things and more. The most important thing about her was something that couldn't be seen in outward beauty. You could look at a photo and see her sweet smile but not her loving heart. They knew she was smart, I told them; but they couldn't see her knowledge of God's plan of salvation. They couldn't tell what strength of character she possessed. Wouldn't it be nice if someone could only look at the outward appearance of someone and know what their soul was like?

We are commanded by Christ, Himself, to love one another. John 15:17, "These things I command you, that you love one another."  In John 13:35 we read today's text, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

THE QUESTION IS: HOW DO WE LET THE WORLD SEE THAT LOVE?

1. Be faithful in your service. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25). Whenever there is an opportunity to be at worship services, be there. For most that means Sunday morning for both Bible study and worship services, often a Sunday evening service and a mid-week service. What about the other times the church meets? There might be a Ladies' Day, Vacation Bible School or Gospel meeting. These are times the elders have set aside to help us be stronger in our faith. Will your neighbors know where you are on these occasions? They should, and you should invite them to go with you.

2. Spend time in the company of other Christians. "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;" (Romans 12:10) Make sure your best friends are fellow Christians. It is easier to live a Christian life in an ungodly world when you are around fellow Christians. Do not let yourself be tempted by the world!

3. Be ever honest in your business dealings. "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men." (Ephesians 6:5-7) When we accept the will of Christ, we become His emissaries to all those around us. Let them see Him in us as we interact with those in the workplace!

4. Share your blessings with those around you, and reach out to those in need. "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (I John 3:17) God could not have made this any more clear. We cannot look at a brother in need and just walk away. If we do, the love of God does not dwell in us. People are always watching us and our reactions to situations we encounter.

5. Practice what you preach. "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (I John 3:18) In other words, do not be a hypocrite. If you say one thing and do another, people will not see Christ living in you.

I'd Rather See a Sermon

I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I would rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye's a better pupil, and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but examples are always clear;
and the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put into action is what everybody needs.
I can learn to do it if you will let me see it done;
I can watch your hand in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very well and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you, the high advice you give,
But, there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

Questions:

1. How does Christ say the world will know if we are His disciples?

2. List at least two scriptures that say we are to "love one another"?

3. How will faithful attendance to church services make us better Christians?

4. How can faithful attendance to church services influence those around us to want to study God's Word?

5. Is it wrong to have friends who are not Christians?

6. Who should be your closest friends and why?

7. Are there certain jobs a Christian could not do? What jobs, and why not?

8. Practice what you ______________ is great advice.

9. Name ways you can reach out to the less fortunate. Be specific in your suggestions.

10. Now pick one of your suggestions and get started!