Romans 12:2 tells us to not be conformed to this world. Proverbs 1:15 says not to walk in the way of unbelievers. Christians are expected to look different from the world. The priorities of our life will be different. Our actions, motivations, families, and possessions are to be indicators of our faith. The entirety of our lives should distinguish us from those who reject the truth of God.
When Jesus is speaking to His disciples during the last supper, He reveals one thing to be critical in characterizing us as Christians. John 13:35 says, “By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Of all the things that Christians are called to do and to be, it is our love for other believers that Jesus says is going to mark us as unique.
Atypical love
If the love that we display is going to so uniquely distinguish us, then that love must be an uncommon love. It must be a love that can be found solely in true Christian fellowship. We would like to assume that our lives embody this love, but I believe it would be dangerous to think we have this down. Without a doubt, there is room for improvement in our church.
It is easy to proclaim love and even show it for a short time when convenient. The question is, “Is that love sustained through time, difficulty, and disagreement?” If we compare the love we have for each other to the dictionary definition of love we are probably doing fine. We likely love each other as much as unbelievers do, but God expects more. What is it that should so define our love that it proclaims to the world that we are Christ’s?
How do we do this?
The Bible has a lot to say about Christian love, but in the verse just before his explanation that our love shows that we are His followers, He points to Himself as the example. John 13:34 “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.” If we are going to love in a way that makes a difference to the world. We need to love the way that Jesus loved us.
There is a way to love halfheartedly. This is the love that most of the world is all too familiar with. In the church, this is a love that lasts only when convenient, self-serving, and agreeable. If this is the level of love that you have, you will find it no longer there when the church makes decisions you disagree with. This love doesn’t endure through pain and difficulty. It doesn’t last past a fleeting emotional high. This love does not put the spiritual and physical health of others above their desires. This is not the type of love that Jesus displayed for us. Jesus’ love was that of humility, total commitment, and sacrifice.
Humble Love
Just a few verses earlier we see Jesus washing His disciple’s feet. This gained Him nothing. The love that Jesus displayed wasn’t self-serving. You might find yourself fond of the church because of what you are getting out of it, but that isn’t real love. Will you love and serve the church with humility even if it gains you nothing in this world? It’s easy to express love for those who will pay it back. Remember Jesus was even willing to wash the feet of the one who betrayed Him. 1 Corinthians 6:7 tells us that for the sake of fellowship and unity we should let ourselves be cheated. Would you do that for the church?
Committed Love
Jesus took the love that he had for the church, His bride, to His death. In Matthew 26:39 we read that this was not necessarily what Jesus wanted, but out of love and obedience to God and a commitment to His people, He pressed on. It was a love that endured even when the good of the church conflicted with His own desires.
Sacrificial Love
You can’t say that your love is sacrificial if you are only willing to sacrifice that which you don’t hold dearly. Jesus sacrificed His life, both when He lived and when He died. What are you willing to give up for your brothers and sisters in Christ? Would you give up your passions and desires? Would you give up experiences that you’ve longed for? Are you willing to give up people’s opinions of you? Loving the church is going to cost, are you willing to pay?
The world loves when it wants to. Christians love each other even when nothing in their flesh desires it. Do people know that you are a disciple of Jesus by your love? There is an awful lot that looks like love in this world and a whole lot of it is not Christian. Check your life. Is it marked by a real love for the Church or instead is there only love for yourself? Let’s look to Jesus as our example. The church is far from perfect, but it is the bride of Christ and that reason alone makes it worthy of real love.