How will the outside world know we are disciples of Jesus? In a culture where being a Christian means so many different things to so many different people, how can they know if we’re for real? What did Jesus say? Was it:

They will know you are my disciples if you carry picket signs and yell at people you disagree with and call them names and say God hates them? If you proclaim your hatred for homosexuals and liberals and anyone else who thinks differently than you? If you join the Tea Party and have no problems voting pro-life and pro-death penalty on the same ballot? Is it when you have a fish symbol or a bumper sticker on the back of your car and drive like everyone else? Is it when you carry an extra-large Bible and pull out obscure verses in it to bash people who don’t share your personal preferences?

How will they know? What will set us apart in the eyes of a world that has seen way too much people who claim to follow Jesus, but practice opposite of what He preached and live no differently than the culture around them?

Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

How you love each other makes you stand out. Not even how you love lost people, but how you love your brothers and sisters in Christ. And not just the ones who love you back and are easy to love, but even the messed-up, broken ones who are difficult and hard to love.

If you don’t love His followers, you are not a disciple of Jesus. If you really want to love His people and are desparately seeking His help and His strength to love them, then I think He will honor that.

And love is not emotion, but sacrifice. Love means doing all you can at whatever cost to you to help the beloved be all that they can be in Jesus.

I am not so good at loving. But Jesus is, and He can love through me if I simply make myself an available and surrendered vessel.

Lord, that’s what I want. That’s what I need. Love people through me. Forgive me when I fail at love daily. Keep working on and in and through me.

As always, I believe. Help my unbelief.