How Can People Know You Are a Follower of Christ?

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


The story of John 13 is not far removed from the events that would demonstrate the ultimate reason why Jesus Christ came into the world. Jesus' death and resurrection proclaimed to the world that He loved His creation so much that He would offer His very life as the only sufficient ransom for its sins. Jesus' advent was to show humanity "the full extent of his love" through His death and His resurrection (see John 12:27; 13:1); and truly, this was the greatest love ever given (John 15:13).


As Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover meal and the Lord's Supper, the disciples were bickering amongst themselves as to whom was the greatest (Luke 22:24). Jesus knew that the time had come to teach His disciples a most important truth of faith: the importance of loving others even before one's self. While the disciples were arguing, Jesus took off His outer garment and knelt down to wash His disciples' feet. Think about it . . . the Sovereign Lord and King of all eternity took a humble position before His disciples to minister to them and to teach them that they should do likewise to others (John 13:15).


Jesus then interjected a new command to His disciples . . . that they should love one another as He had loved them. I'm sure that these power hungry disciples knew that this type of love would necessitate sacrifice on their part to minister to the needs of others. Jesus was sharing with them by his demonstrative act that their purpose in life was not centered on self-actualization and fulfillment but on loving others and being a blessing to them.


Jesus then said to His disciples that the way in which ALL men would know that they were true disciples was by their love for one another. Notice that Jesus said "all" men, not just believers. Thus, unbelievers and believers alike would see the evidential fruit of a transformed life by the manifestation of love that true disciples have for others. Notice too that Jesus did not say that mankind would be able to tell a true disciple by his great oratory skills or mastery of the Scriptures or participation in church activities; rather, it would be by his love for others that all men would know that he was in fact a true disciple.

Whereas we are called to be purveyors of God's truth to a world in need of God's grace, we must examine ourselves to see if we have hearts of love and compassion for others. Are we more consumed with our own needs and desires that we are indifferent to those around us? We must remember that our Lord commands us to love others with a selfless, self-sacrificing love. This love will proclaim to believers and unbelievers alike that we are true followers of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.