“By this all people will know that you are my disciples…” Jesus said that. But it’s just one-half of a complete thought.
We know it’s important.
- The Son of God is saying it.
- He’s talking about us—those who profess to follow him, to be “of him.”
- What he has in mind has to do with our influence for good on others. People around us will know that we are Christ-followers by … something.
Clearly, what Jesus is saying is important.
If we had never heard his complete statement, we might make a variety of guesses as to how Jesus finished his sentence. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples…
- …by the name that you wear.”
- …by your abiding in the right doctrine.”
- …by your functioning with the right sense of organization.”
- …by worshiping in the right way.”
Without a doubt, each of those ideas is expounded upon in the New Testament and should have an important role in the life of the faithful Christian. But in John 13:35, Jesus didn’t mention designations, doctrine or deacons. He said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
What can we learn from that?
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