Proof that you are Christ's disciple

John 13:35 (NASB)

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples”

God values love more than any other action a human being can do.  God IS love (I John 4:8), love is the basis for His actions and His commandments.  You are to love Him and to love others, as this was Jesus answer to the question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment of the Law (God’s Word)” (Matthew 22:36-40). 

But, you likely struggle with the questions, “How loving am I?”  “Do I exemplify love to others around me?”  Likely, sometimes—maybe most of the time—you do, but also likely there are times that you know you don’t.  There are times when you know that you are selfish and self-centered.  You don’t think about others sometimes, and, unfortunately, for many people, even Christians, it might be most of the time.  Of course, you love your family, but even with them, do you love them sacrificially?  Do you always put their needs above your own?  And, then with your friends and co-workers and neighbors, and extend-family members, do you love them as Jesus would want you to love them? 

What is love?  What is the love of God?  What is the love of Jesus that He would allow Himself to be tortured and crucified to demonstrate His love for you?  How might you allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and enable you to be the loving person that you know you ought to be?  Are you too busy to love?  Are you too self-absorbed to love?  There are lots of questions about love and you might not know the answers……or, you do know intellectually, but you are not willing to act in the manner you know you should to demonstrate your love for others. 

Your love for others proves your dedication as a follower, a learner, a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It proves that Jesus truly is the Lord of your life.  Perhaps it is time for you to pray, to meditate, and to focus on how you can be a more loving person.