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By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35
D.L. MOODY
How are you going to tell whether you are a Christian or not? What did Christ say? “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
When I was first converted, I used to wish that every Christian would wear a badge, because I would like to know them; my heart went out toward the household of faith. But I have got over that. Every hypocrite would have a badge inside of thirty days if Christianity should become popular. No badge outside; but God gives us a badge in the heart. The man that hasn’t any love in his creed may let it go to the winds; I don’t want it. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Love is the fruit of the Spirit. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
ERWIN LUTZER
I agree with Moody: Wearing a badge would not convince me that someone was a Christian. A better test is love, that fragrance which says to the world, “I may disagree with you, but I love you.”
Charles Weigle, best known for writing the hymn, “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus,” was preaching at a conference in California. He spent an afternoon visiting some rose gardens in the city. When he went to preach that evening, a number of people asked him how he enjoyed the lovely gardens. He was mystified as to how they knew where he had been until one explained, “You have brought the fragrance of the roses with you.”
People will only know we have been in the presence of Jesus when we bring the fragrance of Christ’s love along with us. Today, show someone around you Christ’s sacrificial love, which is much better than wearing a Christian badge.
PRAYER
Jesus, love through me; care through me; live through me.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How can we practically demonstrate a love that says, 'I may disagree with you, but I love you,' especially in a culture that is increasingly divided?Just as the scent of roses clung to Charles Weigle, what 'fragrance' do people typically encounter after they have spent time in your presence?