John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Scripture Insights
Doctrines and creeds are important, even as we imagine them as prayers. Yet the true fruit from doctrines and creeds is that the love of Christ is being shed abroad in all of our lives.
We are evangelizing all the time. The question is not if but what are we evangelizing. It is daunting to imagine people first seeing and imagining Jesus as they encounter Christians. By the grace of God, the sweet aroma of Christians should be our love for fellow believers and all nations and tribes of the world.
While Christians are not uniform in belief, practice, or political position, people will know we truly are Christians by how we love one another—especially in our places of diversity. We must be vigilant that, in all we do, the love of God has an odor that is so powerful none can miss it.
Disciples of Jesus are known first by how well we love.
Today’s Prayer
Gracious God, may your children draw upon your Spirit to love one another well within the great diversity of your creation. May your love infill your church as it overflow into all creation.
Prayer Journal Reflections
Reflect on becoming Christlike disciples in the church in Canada and the United States.
—Brent Peterson
Dean, College of Theology, Northwest Nazarene University
Pastor of Liturgical Formation, Nampa College Church of the Nazarene
