Together in Christ: 'The Best Way to Identify Us' — John 13:34-35

For six or seven years, I traveled around the U.S. and other countries working with churches and church leaders. As people talked to me about their congregation, they mentioned their strengths, problems, church building, location, demographics, size, giving, ministries, commitment to Scripture, and friendliness. Jesus, however, says there is one surefire way to identify a church where He is welcomed, followed, and honored: The people love each other! Jesus made clear in our verses today that His disciples don't need a sign to tell people they follow Jesus. Instead, their love for each other will show they belong to Jesus!

When the early apostles were arrested and threatened by the same powerful men who had Jesus crucified, they didn't back down but spoke boldly about their faith. These powerful men knew the apostles were not the most educated or sophisticated people, but...

They... recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. ^[1]

When we love each other, the world recognizes that we have been with Jesus! ^[2]

How does your church show it belongs to Jesus? How do you and I show the world we are Jesus' disciples? In our verses today, Jesus said very plainly what the answer should be, didn't He?

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."