Christ’s high calling of love, which Christians are to show fellow believers, is meant to reveal authentic Christianity to the world.
34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
The command of Christ to love one another is so high, that it becomes the identifying mark of true Christianity. It is so categorically different than the way the world loves that they know that you are not one of them. It is no small thing to love others as Christ has loved you. Did you deserve His love? Did you love Him first? No, in fact, you did nothing to deserve or earn His love.
What requirements do you demand of others before you will love them as Christ loved you? If anything comes to mind, you may be loving like the world loves, not as Christ. His love for you is unconditional.
Let the goal of loving fellow believers, as Christ loved you, be a primary goal of your life. Most often, this love is not revealed to the world when you are being loved perfectly; it is revealed when you are not being loved perfectly by others, but your love for them remains, as Christ's love for you, steadfast.
Dr. Trey Talley, Lead Pastor and Elder