Live It…Don’t Just Say It

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13-34-35 

   These verses reiterate part 2 of the Great Commandment found in Matthew 22:36-40 & Mark 12:28-34: Part 1, Love God; Part 2, Love your Neighbor. 

   You may have heard the statement … 

You should tell others about Jesus and when necessary, use words

   That’s a powerful statement and one that I heard again just this week. What it means is we should let our actions speak louder than our words. 

   Let me give you an example of what that looks like in real life. Two of the most treasured compliments I ever received were,

You Earned My Trust 

and 

It’s not what you said, but how you treat others that made me want to go back to church 

   Neither of those compliments were demanded but rather earned. Neither were something I asked for but both were bestowed on me. Both were the direct result of trusting in the Word of God and doing what Jesus asked us to do…Love One Another.

   Now, let me be clear, Part 2, Love your neighbor is not possible without also doing Part 1, Love God. That’s why when Jesus was asked, Which is the Great Commandment, he gave a two part answer.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

   Take some time today and think about your recent interactions with others especially with your not so favorite people. Will they know that you are a disciple of Jesus? Will those interactions draw them to or push them away from Jesus?

   Our choice of how we treat others is not a decision with the same impact as, Do I eat healthy today or not. They are decisions that could influence where someone spends eternity. Let that sink if for a minute.  

If it was important enough for Jesus to say it, 

it’s important enough for us do it