Mitchell County
John 13:35 — “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
As we examine True Discipleship this year, I find it interesting how Jesus said that men would know that we are disciples of Christ. He did not say it would be through better programming, bigger buildings, more crowds, or better ministries. Jesus said the distinguishing mark of a true disciple was love.
When Jesus told His disciples that love would mark them as His followers, He used the word “agape,” the highest form of love. This is a sacrificial love. A selfless love. A servant’s love. The list to describe “agape” could go on. It is the love that God has, the love that God is, and the love that God expects us to show.
The question then is this: “How are we loving one another?” We are to show love first to one another. Immediately, I think of Jesus saying this to His disciples who were sitting around the table during the Last Supper. They should love each other. That means for us those who are around our table at home and our table at church. How are we loving each other around those tables? Then what about the rest of the people we are in contact with? Those at work, those in public that we meet? How are we showing and sharing the love of Christ with those people?
Some may not understand this, but loving people with agape love does not mean letting them continue in destructive habits or lifestyles without warning. God loves us in such a way that He sends us His truth to guide us and keep us on track. That is why we are instructed to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), but also that if we have not love, all we are is a loud noise (1 Corinthians 13:1–7).
As we grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus, may we also grow in love toward each other and love as Jesus loves.
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Rev. Nathan Silver is a Mitchell County native and is the Senior Pastor at Grassy Creek Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, NC. He is married to Jessica and they have two daughters Grace and Lida. He is passionate about his Savior and His Bride, the Church. Nathan loves spending time with his wife and daughters and being in the great outdoors. He loves preaching the Word of God and gathering with Saints in worshiping our Savior.
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