Nike, Volkswagen, Under Armor, & Apple all have something in common. They all have a trademark that has become an unmistakable identifier of their products. Companies spend a ton of money developing their branding which include these logos / trademarks that mark their product. For example, there is no mistaking a Nike shoe, because of the swoosh logo that has become synonymous with their name.
In the same way, Jesus talked about an undeniable evidence or mark that we are followers of Him. That trademark or stamp that identifies us as His followers is how we love.
John 13:35 – “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
We have talked a lot about what love is and what love does. But how do we know if we are getting it right when it comes to the way we love?
What is the standard by which we measure love?
Many times people measure love by the wrong standards…
So many things in our culture equate love with an emotion. (Songs, videos, advertisements all reinforce this idea). But the idea that love is simply a feeling is not based on truth. While emotions can certainly be a real part of love, love is not about feelings. Having “warm fuzzies” does not mean we are loving well.
Love also cannot be reduced to what we say. There are plenty of people who say “I love you” out of the wrong motives.
I have a goal of my children hearing me say “I LOVE YOU” multiple times a day. But if I only said I love you, and never gave any other evidence of that, what would they believe?
What is the best test of my love? The best test of my love is what I DO.
Certainly people do things out of the wrong motives, but motives become clear through what I do and how I do it. I firmly believe that you can do without loving, but you can’t love without doing.
You can do without loving, but you can’t love without doing.
I want my kids to know I love them by not just what I say, but by what I do. I want this idea to be so engrained in my daughter that she won’t dare believe a guy that says “I love you” if their actions are not loving and biblical.
Throughout Scripture we see that love is tied to action.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave…” (John 3:16)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God proved his love by action, and His followers were told to do the same. Jesus told his disciples,
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” – (John 14:15)
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter (who had denied him three times) and he asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. After an emphatic “You know I love you” from Peter, Jesus said,
“Then feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)
It is abundantly clear that love is tied to action.
1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
How can you SHOW your love to others today? Start with those closest to you…your family. Make it a goal today to let each person in your household know that you love them by what you say AND in an active and tangible way. What can you DO for each person that is an undeniable mark of your love….. that leaves no doubt about the truth of your love!
Today, Let your words and deeds of love be an undeniable Trademark that you a follower of Jesus Christ!
*For ideas of how to serve in ways that are unique to you, check out this article.
*For a podcast of this post, click here.