This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Building Together: “Together is Tough!” (WATCH HERE)
John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
What do people see when they look at Christians?
They may see people gathering for worship. They may see Bibles, crosses, church buildings, and Christian symbols. They may hear us talk about Jesus. They may even know what we believe.
But Jesus says there is something else they should see.
They should see His love.
On the night before Jesus died, He told His disciples, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Then He added something remarkable: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus connects our love for one another with our witness to the world.
That does not mean our love saves people. Jesus saves. Our good works do not earn forgiveness. Christ earned our forgiveness through His perfect life, innocent death, and victorious resurrection. Our love is not the Gospel itself, but it can point people toward the Savior who is.
Think about a stained glass window in a church. The window is not the light. The light comes from outside. But when the light shines through the glass, people can see something beautiful.
Our lives can be like that.
Christ is the source. His love shines into our hearts through His Word and Sacraments. His grace changes us. Then that love can shine through the way we treat people.
A neighbor may never read Ephesians 5, but they can see what happens when a Christian forgives. A coworker may never understand the doctrine of justification, but they can notice when a Christian responds to an insult with patience instead of anger. A friend may not know what Christians believe about grace, but they can experience grace when we serve them without expecting anything in return.
Sometimes the most powerful witness is simply loving someone when it would be easier not to.
That does not mean we will always get it right. We won’t. Christians still sin. We still become impatient. We still say things we regret. We still have difficult relationships.
But even there, the Gospel gives us another opportunity to point to Christ. We can admit when we are wrong. We can ask for forgiveness. We can forgive. We can begin again.
That is what grace looks like.
This week we have been reminded that we are dearly loved children of God. We have learned to see others differently because they are people Christ died for. We have considered what it means to love like Christ, even when together is tough.
Now we are reminded why it matters.
Our love can point people to Jesus.
So look around you today. Who needs to experience the love of Christ through you? Maybe it is a family member who needs patience. Maybe it is a coworker who needs encouragement. Maybe it is someone who has hurt you and needs forgiveness. Maybe it is a neighbor who simply needs someone to notice them.
Love them.
Not to earn God’s love.
Love them because you already have it.
And when people see that love, may they see something more than us. May they see Christ.
Reflect: What might the people around you learn about Jesus by watching the way you treat them? Who is one person you can intentionally love like Christ this week?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving Yourself for me. Thank You for making me Your child and covering me with Your grace. Help me live in such a way that others can see Your love through me. Give me opportunities to forgive, serve, encourage, listen, and show compassion. When I fail, lead me back to Your forgiveness and help me begin again. Use my life, imperfect as it is, to point others toward the perfect love You have shown us at the cross. May my words and actions give others a glimpse of You. In Your name I pray. Amen.