Discipleship: Evidence of Discipleship- Love

Evidence of Discipleship

(How true discipleship is revealed in one’s life)

Love for Others

• John 13:34–35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

If there is a single attribute that defines a disciple of Jesus it is love. It is not an association of church or denomination, church attendance, tithes or status. Loving others is the single mark of a disciple of Jesus, sacrificial love. Why is this the case? Because the rest of the world does not love one another like Jesus is calling us to. Jesus is calling his disciples to go beyond the societal norms for “respecting others”. He wants us to love by serving others and helping them meet their needs without expecting anything in return. He wants us to “love like he did”. How did he love? He met everyone’s needs he could and cared for the ones who needed it. He forgave, he had compassion, he washed feet, and he gave up his life. The world sees a problem with that kind of love because it is selfless. A lot of people love their family or friends but very few love to the point they would give up their own life. A disciple of Jesus loves others above themself and this love is transformative. If they do not have this love, they are not a disciple.