Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 11, 2023: SOAP #4999: Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

By THIS shall all men know…

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

OBSERVATION:  When questioned about the greatest commandment, Jesus gave two:  Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.  But now, as Judas had just left to betray Him, Jesus moves even deeper into what His disciples needed to know.  Greater than the Law of Moses, Jesus was giving His disciples a new law to love ONE ANOTHER as Jesus had loved them!!!   This is more than loving our neighbor as we love ourselves; this is loving our brothers and sisters as Christ has loved us!   My love for myself is not the measuring standard for how I love others; Jesus love for me is the measuring standard! 

He continues on to say that this love would become a trademark by which the world would recognize them as disciples of Jesus. 

APPLICATION:  Evangelism is a main purpose of the church.  We take it seriously.  We organize evangelistic crusades.  We spend a lot of money on outreach.  It is so right that we do this. 

But I wonder what would happen if we took these two verses to heart and really began LOVING ONE ANOTHER as Jesus loves us!   Would all men recognize that we are Christ’s disciples?  Would they want to be a part of such a loving fellowship of people?  In stead of us seeking the lost, would the lost begin seeking us?    Hmmm…  I wonder…

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, show me how to love as Jesus has loved me.  Help me see that this is not a measurement of how people are to love me, but for how I am to love my brother and sister.  Live in me; love through me; be seen in my love.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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