Read John 13:1-38 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” 

John 13:34-35

When I was a junior at The Ohio State University in 1973, a friend invited me to attend a meeting of Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU) at the student union. There were about 50 students there.

I’ll never forget what happened.

A girl about my age (21) stood up and started playing her guitar and she sang a new song called, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.”

It was the first time I had ever heard a Christian song outside of church. The meeting and song was about Christ and based on John 13:35, I heard the message in the song.

(Jars of Clay sang it below in 2021).

Love is a characteristic of being a follower of Christ.

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

John 13:34-35

Love is the greatest of the Christian virtues.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13

Love is the bond uniting all the Christian virtues.

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense…It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Colossians 3:12-14

By our love, they will know we are Christians.

“…No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t have a swelled head,

Love does not force itself on others.

Love is not always “me first,”

Love does not fly off the handle.

Love does not keep score of the sins of others. Love trusts God always.

Love always looks for the best.

(from 1 Corinthians 13:3-7)

Do you always look for the best in others? Are you known for your love? What steps can you take to better love those around you? In what way should Jesus’ love to you influence this love to others?

Tom Weckesser