O - Jesus gives his followers one new commandment. If engaged, everyone (the world - now 8.1 billion) would be able to validate that they were actually following him. He didn't instruct us to read or memorize Scripture, attend gatherings, pray, commit to certain theological conclusions, fast, wear certain clothing, or follow a specific diet. None of these activities validate his followers. The validation comes only, exclusively, if we love each other.
A - The wording of Jesus' new commandment is curious … considering the worldwide impact it carries. Why didn’t he say if you love everybody the world will know you are my followers? He wants us to love everyone but that isn't how he phrased his instruction. Why not pick up the reality of the second of the two greatest commandments? After all, he wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, our equals; but that's not what he said. Why not really crush it by the assignment to love our enemies? It's a revolutionary way of thinking and living and he even wants the followers to do it. Yet, that is not the command and not what will validate those who are actually following him. It is only if we love each other like he's loved us that anyone would be able to know who is actually following Jesus. So, the question for me, day by day, in my sincere desire to follow Jesus is: Am I currently loving all his followers as he is loving me. Without this ongoing reality it’s a “pipe dream” to think I will actually love my neighbors and my enemies too.
P - Lord who invites all to follow,
I am acknowledging that I want to follow you and acknowledging your only one new instruction, the exclusive outside metric you give for others to assess if it’s really true; if I am in truth following you, Jesus. You have continued to love me so intensely and unconditionally all these years. Because of your presence and greatness I am choosing to love your followers as you are loving me - unconditionally. I am also admitting that without your help and empowerment I will never be able to do it.
Inspired and confident because of you,
Steve
