How do you recognize friends?
You might see them hiking along a trail together, perhaps even ribbing one another about their perceived skill level or lack of it.
How about planning a movie marathon. Mary, you bring the popcorn, and I’ll provide the sodas.
Then there are picnics, with potato salad, burgers, and maybe a frisbee or two.
They might go for a swim, either in a pool or a pond, splashing one another and calling for retribution by anyone nearby.
And there’s options such as karaoke, a spa day, visiting a museum, or a day sharing the latest video game.
How do you recognize Christians?
John 13:34-35 (NIV) gives us a good definition:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
To … love … one another. Really, Jesus? Have you met Sis. Spurlock? She’s a crabapple waiting to be munched on …
Let me repeat: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
We aren’t given an option. Jesus says it in the strongest terms: A new command I give you. Not a suggestion, not an “If you want to” but a command.
How can we love the people who walk with us in Christ? It’s simple.
Invite them out for a hike … to the mall if you don’t care for the outdoors. Or to have your nails done. Or for a coffee at the new shop in town.
Then there’s the new Christian movie showing at Bethel Bible Church. “Come and go with me. We can get a burger on the way.”
Or a picnic … a museum … there’s lots of choices out there.
Then, when you feel that fist bump coming on, just do it! The world will see, and they will know you have become a true-blue disciple of our Lord.
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