The Unity Of God's Love

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

—John 13:35

 

Jesus told His disciples that His love would distinguish them from the rest of the world. Our holy 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 for each other keeps the world from knowing Jesus. 

 

Members of the body of Christ who place the utmost importance on outward appearance or continually look for fault in others are some of the most judgmental believers. Jesus Christ had 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. 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. 

 

The early church didn’t have the media, money, and massive programs for evangelism we have today, or the ability to travel around the globe. Yet, the unbelievers in Thessalonica had something 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, tradition, and offense. 

 

God’s love tolerates trying situations and persons, enduring far beyond the norm. His love is patient, generous, unselfish, and good, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It’s considerate and desires only to promote the welfare of others. God’s love is benevolent, revealing itself in actions of kindness. God’s love isn’t jealous or resentful of the good fortune of others. His love isn’t vain, self-righteous, or proud. It isn’t dishonest, nor does it violate what is right. God’s love doesn’t demand its own way. It’s forgiving and not easily upset. His love doesn’t judge another’s hardship. God’s love rejoices when sincerity and truth prevail. His love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. God’s love protects and holds off anything that threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God’s love believes the best of everyone without criticizing or looking for fault. His love persists and hopes against all odds in expecting the best in others. God’s love causes one to push through despite any difficulty. His love never proves inadequate or fruitless. It will never disappoint, prove unreliable, or fail. His love endures forever.

—1 Corinthians 13:4–8

 

“Make God’s love your greatest aim and pursuit,” Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 14:1).

 

Is this the love you aim for and pursue despite your feelings and every attempt 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.

Paul wrote: “Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:1–3).

When we love each other as Christ has loved us, nothing stands against our unity. The only thing that can stop Jesus’ love in us is our selfishness and pride. His love, which was freely and unselfishly given to us, changes hearts when it is freely and unselfishly given. The unity of God’s love cannot be overcome. His love changes us and the world.

 

The Holy Spirit is awaking the church to this unity. We will either love each other and the world will know Him, or we will give the enemy permission to divide and conquer. Right now, Jesus is praying 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.