Blog—
Words in Red—Day 1 

I felt last night that for the month of June I needed to focus on “the words in red”, or the quotes of Jesus found in the Bible. I decided to write down some thoughts and verses as I study this month and share with you via my blog.

I opened my YouVersion app and the scripture of the day happened to be some words in red, so I decided to use this one.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””John 13:34-35

“All will know…IF you have love for one another…” There’s a condition in that statement. All people will know that we are following Jesus IF we love one another. Putting that into context that would require us walking in love with our neighbor, our co workers, our family, and fellow Christians. Often, I have been in scenarios and around situations where the later is negated. While it’s easy to not walk in love with any given person on occasion, I find sometimes it’s easier to love and extend grace to those outside of the body of Christ. It’s not as simple to look at a fellow brother or sister in The Lord and extend grace when they make mistakes.

I’ve seen several negative articles and posts recently about certain well know ministers and issues among believers. I’m not writing to defend anyone or anything in particular as I believe we must test all the spirits and not be deceived. I can also see from a Christian worldview how unhealthy some Western theology can be at times at hindering healthy discipleship and evangelism in the nations. I have however experienced the good, the great, the bad and the ugly in ministry and I’ve come to know people are just that, people. Furthermore I can say that some of the ugliest things said and done to me have been by other believers. I’m sure my words have been curt and my actions have proved ridiculous at times and resulted in wounding others. No one is perfect and we all need help in becoming more and more like the One we say we are following. We all need grace and most importantly we need the love of God. I don’t think publicly or privately bashing one another helps in the spread of His love. Particularly when others are watching our interactions.

As believers we aren’t going to necessarily find this unconditional love from angry coworkers or isolated neighbors. We should however be able to find the love of God from those who are brothers and sisters in Christ. When Jesus said the words in the passage above, it was said to his disciples about how he desires that they might love one another. That the world would observe how they cared for, rallied around, and extended grace to one another and then realize it was an empowerment only from Christ. Jesus also knew the persecution that would lie ahead for those men and the others who would follow Him. He knew only love would bind them together to display His truth to the world.

May the love of Christ continue to grow in our hearts and lives. That our hearts would receive His perfect love so that we might see others through the eyes of love. May our actions reflect love. And may we, as believers and followers of Christ so join in serving and loving one another that a lost world finds hope in a love beyond human capability.