My middle child loves those badge pins given away during school activities. She especially treasures those that recognize her as a stellar performer, a behaved student, or one that says she is a volunteer. She also treasures those given to her by friends that label her as a best friend of so and so.
In our walk in life, we earn badges. Although most are inconspicuous, it tells a lot about our journey. It could be achievements, it could be career accolades, the family or relationships we belong to, or a great memory such as those stretch marks that remind mothers about childbearing. Nevertheless, these badges tell a lot about our character and our stories.
As followers of Jesus, we are identified not by the church we belong to, our level of knowledge in terms of scriptures or laws, nor our attendance in worship and faith nurturing group activities. While all these are important, it does not give us THE distinction, our Messiah Himself has set for all His followers. Instead He said this:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
As He prepared for His inevitable death on the cross, the Lord told His disciples that people will know that they are His followers if they love one another. In Today’s terms, this means that we need not tell anyone we are Christians so that they will know we believe and follow Jesus. All they have to do is to look at our actions and loving ways, and they will know that we are His followers.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
Loving others is easy, especially when they are lovable, or when we have a reason to love them like if they are our family. The challenge comes when there is no reason to love them, they intentionally do bad things to us, and they are not even grateful for our presence in their lives.
But as present-day believers, God calls us to love even those that are mean to us. He even commands us to forgive these people, and just leave vengeance to Him.
“To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20
And so today and everyday, let us take up the courage to wear our badge as followers of Jesus. We love others with the love of God, even if it is difficult. When we do this, we know that He will be looking down upon us with a smile, and when we live to please God, that is all that matters.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on 1 John 3:11-24 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Does your actions mirror God’s love towards everyone, including the unlovable?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for loving us. Thank you that your love overflows so that we can share it with others. Give us the grace to love others, especially those we view as undeserving of our time and care. Amen.
