How to identify a disciple of Jesus

John 13:35  "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

I try to stay focused on this, and I have improved but, quite frankly, I fall short of the mark all too often. I can be short, sarcastic, accusative, and critical of others all too often. Still, that does not mean that I am not improved in having love for others. One thing that I am proud of is that I believe that I have a lot of compassion for others; even my enemies. Where I fall short is with those who seem to be so sure that they are right and that they have the correct understanding of Christianity and what it means to be a Christ follower. This is the place that I find difficult to express and extend compassion. But, I am working on it.

I have slowly, over time, and ever increasingly, come to realize that what is known as evangelical Christianity here in America, does not closely resemble the teachings of Jesus. Nationalism and individualism is not compatible with Christian doctrine. And yet, we have the bulk of evangelicals emphasizing nationalism, and individualism. Furthermore, the main emphasis is on sin. They focus on sin management when in John's gospel it is written that Jesus is the Lamb of God that TAKES AWAY the sin of the entire world. The Prophet Jeremiah, in anticipation of Israel's New Covenant, (which is not a New Covenant to Gentiles because they did not have an Old Covenant,) announced that God would forgive all iniquity and remember it no more. 

We find in the writings of the apostle John that God is love, and Paul defines love in 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen and one of the points made is that love keeps no record of wrongs. If God is love and love keeps no record of wrongs, then it logically follows that God keeps no record of wrongs. This agrees completely with what was revealed to Jeremiah. God does not remember sin. Why would that be? What would be God's motive in not remembering wrongs? Simply put, it would be to produce love, joy, and peace in the recipients of such a gracious gift. Further, it would automatically produce a deep love for God. This deep, abiding, real love for God would automatically, supernaturally cause the recipient to want to please such a gracious God. 

When one believes the truth about God it becomes natural to want to love one another. Jesus said, "no greater love is there than this that one would lay down their life for a friend." But, he takes it a huge step farther. 

Luke 6:27-35  "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  (28)  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  (29)  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.  (30)  Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.  (31)  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  (32)  "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  (33)  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  (34)  If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  (35)  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked."

It appears to me that most of evangelical Christianity is so busy trying to manage sin and in so doing condemn the sinners that they do not take the words of Jesus seriously in the least. I have to admit that Jesus words are challenging and extremely difficult to follow. However, we must consider them and strive to do them when we realize that because of Jesus, God is not keeping a record of wrongs. Not ANY wrongs!

I think it is important to begin to take Jesus words to heart. Realize that he really meant them. I have heard so many evangelicals say that he certainly did not mean that. Oh yeah? Of course he meant them, and he realized that God's love and grace for each of us would help supernaturally transform us into people that would have God's heart toward all humanity. That is the goal of the gospel message. The gospel is the GOOD NEWS that God loves us and is not keeping a record of wrongs. It is designed to enable each person who believes the good news to become the hands, feet, mouth, and brain of God and actually serve/minister this love to others.

So how do you identify a disciple of Jesus? Agape/LOVE!