God’s Kind of Love

 

 

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

—John 13:35

 

The night Jesus allowed Himself to be captured in the Garden, He told His disciples that His love would distinguish them from the rest of the world. Our godly living, religiousness, or condemnation of sin doesn't reveal to the world that we are faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Our love for each other causes the world to take notice, while a lack of love keeps the world from knowing Jesus. 

 

Members of the body of Christ who place the utmost importance on outward appearance and continually look for fault in others are some of the most judgmental believers. Jesus Christ has no condemnation (Romans 8:1), and His perfect love doesn’t condemn (I John 4:18). Condemnation is the opposite of the love Jesus spoke of to His disciples. 

 

Jesus didn’t say everyone would know we are His disciples by our doctrine, rituals, hatred for sin, or even by how we express our love for God. He said very clearly that the one trait that would cause the world to identify us as His followers was our love for one another. This same night in the Upper Room, Jesus prayed to His Father: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21). The only way that the body of Christ will be one as the Father and Jesus are one is through God’s kind of love. 

 

The unity of believers, which only comes through a genuine God-kind of love, is the greatest means of evangelism the church has ever known. We should not be shocked that Satan has pitted Christians against each other. This is why the body of Christ is not united in love. 

 

Yearly, we spend billions of dollars on evangelism through training, media, and other types of outreach. The early church didn’t have the massive programs for evangelism we have today or the ability to travel around the globe to spread the Gospel. You cannot even compare what the early church spent to what is spent today on evangelism. Yet, the unbelievers in Thessalonica had something quite interesting to say about Paul and those who ministered with him: “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:6). The early church evangelized the known world in less than thirty years. Before we can ever fulfill the Great Commission, there must be an awakening of God’s love in the body of Christ, where our relationship with Jesus defines us instead of religion and ritual. 

 

The following is based on I Corinthians 4:4-8, and hopefully, it will encourage us to honestly assess our love for one another. 

 

God’s love tolerates trying situations and persons, enduring far beyond the norm. God’s love is patient, generous, and good. God’s love is unselfish and obliging, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, courteous, and desires only to promote the welfare of others. God’s love is benevolent and beneficial, revealing itself in actions of kindness. God’s love is not jealous or resentful of the good fortune of others or desires to have what is theirs. God’s love does not boast or praise itself. His love is not vain, self-righteous, or proud. God’s love does not act or react in a way that is dishonest or violates what is right. God’s love does not demand its own way. God’s love is not easily upset or angered. God’s love does not reason or judge another’s hardship or suffering. His love is joyful when sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail. His love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because He is love, God supports and carries whatever is placed upon Him. God’s love protects, covers, and holds off anything that threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God’s love is patient in all circumstances. God’s love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone without criticizing or looking for fault. God’s love persists and hopes against all odds in expecting what is promised. God’s love causes one to push through despite any difficulty. His love never proves inadequate or fruitless. God’s love will never disappoint, prove undependable, or fail. God’s love endures forever.

 

Make God’s love your greatest aim and pursuit (1 Corinthians 14:1).

 

Is this the love you aim for and pursue despite your feelings and every disruption of the enemy? Does the world recognize you as a Christian because of your love for your brother or sister in Christ? The world will know we are Christians by our love.

 

The power of the Good News is realized and used to its maximum potential when believers are wholly united in Jesus' love. Nothing stands against our powerful and undefeatable unity in Christ when we love as He has loved us. Just as with the early church, the power to turn the world upside down will not be overcome. Nothing can halt Jesus’ redeeming love in us except our selfishness and pride. His love freely and unselfishly given to us changes hearts when it is freely and unselfishly given. The unity of His love is the power that changes us and the world. 

 

The body of Christ is awakening to this unity. We will either be a part of this awakening or not. Jesus prays for His faithful followers: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).

 

This awakening begins in you and me.

 

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