Is there anyone you follow?

Is there anyone you follow? It's a big deal these days for businesses and celebrities to count "followers", or the number of people who are "following" them on Twitter or Instagram. If you're not familiar with those that's ok. The word or idea of being a "follower" is quite common. From followers of certain political figures to sports teams, the people who like or want to be a part of something is quite common.

Jesus had followers. He had people who just hung around him 'cuz they liked his teaching. He had people literally following him around called disciples. On one unique occasion Jesus identified what quality should mark his followers.

"As I have loved you, so you should love another. By this all men will know you are my followers, if you love one another." John 13:34-35.

Here's the tough question though? How? What would this love look like if we were to carry it out? If Love is the one of the true marks of Following Jesus, what makes it so special?

First, the love Jesus talked about isn't warm fuzzy feelings or some romantic inkling. The love Jesus refers to has little to do with "feeling like it". This love is making a tough choice, to want the best for the person in mind. What's the best thing for them? What would be the highest good for them in their current situation? You want that, rather than being indifferent or wanting to see them hurt.

This kind of love calls for us to be inconvenienced. It means it may not be on my time table. To love like Jesus loved us calls for sacrifice. To be misunderstood.

Right now everywhere we look we see people fighting. Literally with guns & bombs, With fists. Protests and Pickets. We are fighting in our homes, in the streets, at school board meeting and sometimes in the churches. .

Jesus says the world we know who belongs to Him and who does not by how we treat one another. Especially how we treat those we disagree with. That's how the world will know we follow Jesus.

Some years later John, one of Jesus closest allies would say, "Little children, don't just talk about love, but let it be seen in your actions towards one another." 1 John 3:18

Join me Sunday for a new session LOVE DOES. See ya soon!
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Pastor Mike

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