If you saw the movie, Dan in Real Life, you might remember this powerful quote: “Love is not a feeling, it’s an ability.” Dan’s middle daughter had a boyfriend who expressed this important truth to him.

 

Love is something special. Set the romantic notion of love aside for a moment and think of the way love transforms so many of the relationships we have. When Michelle gave birth to each of our girls, I discovered a whole new kind of love that literally blew me away.

 

Jesus wanted us to make sure we knew the many aspects of love’s power. One of the ways its impact is felt throughout a culture is simply by the way we Christians love each other.

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)

 

The world will KNOW we belong to Him, not because of our T-shirts or the fish on our business card. They won’t take notice if we shop at Christian stores or wear a cross. However, they will sit up and take notice if we genuinely care about each other.

 

We’ve been talking about love’s credibility with those we’re trying to reach. How much more credibility would we build if we stopped putting other Christians down because they go to a different church? Or what would happen if we quit gossiping about other Christians who sin differently than we do?

 

If we actually, genuinely loved each other in the Body of Christ, don’t you think people would long to be a part of something that special?

 

Today’s assignment: Love and encourage another follower of Christ. Build a bridge with another believer you’ve allowed to be distant. Strike up a conversation with someone who should be a friend…since you will be spending eternity together anyway! 

 

 

Prayer thought:

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Whaaaaaaaaaat?!?! That is one powerful command, one that we would be wise not to overlook. 

 

First, take some time to really think about how Jesus has loved YOU. Ask for Him to reveal specifics to you, and write them down. Now you know what Love looks like. 

 

Now you might be realizing that this is going to have to go beyond what you are capable of and require the work of the Spirit. Ask Jesus for the ability to love others the way that He has loved you.  

 

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 2:19 NIV)