“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” John 13:34-35

One day before the New Year begins we come to these verses. They are as relevant in 2017 as it was in the First Century when it was written. People “out there” want to see real Christians. Yes, of course, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, but Jesus said that those same neighbors will know we are His disciples if we first love each other. That’s not actually taught much these days, and it’s too bad.

It also carries out into the international realm too. Think of the Persecuted Church. What does it look like when we love them? How does the world view our love for them? Is it non-existent? Are we “fighting” for them as much as we can?

So as the old year passes and the new year comes into being, perhaps it should recommit to loving one another. If the world can’t see we love those in the faith, why would they think we would love those outside the faith?