The defining mark of a Christian must be love. Jesus said that we will be known to be His disciples if we love one another. Are you marked by love?
Have you ever walked into a body of believers and felt the love? Have you been around people that so clearly care for one another? There is a notable, palpable difference. We as Christians must be marked by love for one another?
As the Haddaway famously sang, "What is love?" If we are to be marked by love we must know what love is. We use the word often, but what is love?
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" 1 John 3:16-17
d.c. Talk sang, "Love is a verb" and it's true. We can feel love but love is in its truest form a verb. True love is an active, sacrificial act toward those who may or may not deserve it. There cannot be true love without at least an ounce of sacrifice.
If your love is never accompanied by action then I will wonder if you actually have love.
My friend is a big Cowboys fan. How do I know? He talks about them, reads about them, purchases Cowboys merchandise, he buys hotels rooms and tickets to go to games, he spends time watching them on TV. My friend is a Cowboys fan and I know because he has actively sacrificed money, time, energy and more to do Cowboy fan things.
How do people notice your love for your Christian brothers and sisters? How does anyone recognize your love for your neighbor? Love requires action and sacrifice. If we have the means to help and don't when our sister is in need then we don't have the kind of love Jesus gives His followers. Love is a verb.
"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."
This Holy Week remember the love of Christ and actively imitate it today.
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