When we think about love, we often see it as something we feel—a warm and fuzzy emotion that sweeps over us when we care deeply for someone. Yet, many of us recognize that love is even better when we understand it as a verb, something that calls us to act with kindness, patience, and compassion. But did you know there's a step even further? What if we understood love as something to protect rather than just a feeling or a verb?
In John 13:35, Jesus tells his disciples, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” These words aren't just a lesson—they are a call to a way of living that must be visible to the world—something worth living for, something worth protecting. Jesus doesn’t simply say, "If you love one another, you'll be following my teaching." He says, “Everyone will know that you are mine.” Love is not just a lesson—it is the thing to do, the sign to reflect and reveal. It’s the marker that says we belong to Christ.
But think about it—how does the world see Christians today? Sadly, in many instances, we’re known for our judgment, our arguments, our political divides, and yes, sometimes even our contempt for others. I’ve been thinking about this all day, all because I saw a social media post. It said, “If Jesus said his disciples would be known by their love for others, then when we claim to follow him, but we are known for our bullying, our cruelty, our callousness, and our contempt for others, we are actively taking his name in vain.”
This made me pause, because I’ve never considered that when we call ourselves Christians, we are, in part, responsible for the reputation of Jesus. We carry his name and, therefore, his reputation, in our actions and words. If we want to protect the name of Jesus, we must protect the love we are called to show.
The theology behind the social media post isn't new. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, speaks of the importance of love in the life of a Christian. In 1 Corinthians 13, he writes that without love, all our good works—whether they are acts of charity, speaking in tongues, or even sacrifices—are meaningless. “If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). It’s clear: love is at the heart of the Christian life. It’s more than an emotion; it’s a decision, a way of being that reflects the heart of God. It’s something worth protecting. But I’m not asking you to protect it by waging wars in its name, but by doing, reflecting, and revealing more of it... whether people deserve it or not. You protect the reputation of Jesus by loving the way he did.
It’s like how most parents are willing to die for their children, but what the kids truly need is not your willingness to die, but your willingness to choose life—for them.
Jesus also affirms this connection between love and our reputation in the world. In Matthew 5:14-16, he calls us to be the light of the world: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” It’s not just about doing good things, but doing them in such a way that others see God’s love at work in us.
So, how can we live this out practically? Here are two ideas:
1. Listen well: Love isn’t just about what we say—it’s about how we listen. Taking time to truly hear someone’s story, their struggles, or their frustrations is an act of love. It validates them as a person and reflects the listening ear of God.
2. Lean against injustice: Love also means standing up for the oppressed and the marginalized. It means advocating for justice in our communities and fighting for the dignity of every human being. and you don't have to go to a third-world country to show that; you can do that at Publix, at school, and in your local government.
Remember, someone is always watching. Some people cannot believe in Christ because of our actions. People will know we are disciples of Jesus not by our theological knowledge or our church attendance, but by the love we demonstrate in our daily lives. Our reputation as Christians—and, more importantly, our reflection of God’s love—is at stake.
So let’s take John 13:35 seriously. Let love be our reputation. Let it be the first thing people think of when they hear the name of Jesus, and let it be the thing that others remember when they encounter us.
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