Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is John 13:35

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

"God is love" (1 John 4:8) and all who are His offspring, those who have been born again, will be like Him;  for the children of God will bear the love nature of God. We have been recreated in His likeness and there is no one else whom we should resemble in our hearts. Jesus points out this reality to His disciples. How will the world know that we are followers of Christ? They will know it if we have the love of God expressed among ourselves. This truth flies in the face of modern Christianity where people who profess to be followers of Christ do not get along and can, in many cases, hardly tolerate each other's presence. Even within the same denominational and non-denominational structures we find that people separate themselves from one another for various reasons. Is this a reflection of God's love or is it a reflection of lives that have not fully embraced the cross, lives that are still identifying with the flesh?

Love that flows from a relationship with God, through the sacrifice of Christ, transcends all of the restraints of fleshly preferences and prejudices. It moves beyond the egocentric predicament of self-centeredness and fleshly conditioning to see other brothers and sisters as being one together in Christ. It is not a love that offers platitudes but genuine spiritual affection. It is a love that says "your life is just as important to me as my own."  That is what Jesus gave us, and that is what those who are His disciples give to one another.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim