What

is the mark of a Christ-follower? There is great danger if we let our

commitment to Christ get distorted by allegiance to a specific cause

or issue. Jesus was clear that following him is not about political

or power agendas. It cannot be reduced to a theological tradition or

a denominational boundary ­either. The mark of the Christian,

­according to Jesus, is love.

This

is what makes Christianity unique. Love is the essential principle of

the Christian faith, and Jesus is passionate that we show love for

one another.

When

Jesus gives this command, there is no room to read it as optional.

Love is a requirement of being a follower of Christ. And this is no

abstract idea. Jesus makes clear that we are to follow his example.

And through the Holy Spirit, who came to build and grow the church

­after Jesus left his disciples and ascended to heaven, we have

Christ’s love in abundance.

Jesus

said that it is by our love for one another that others will know we

are his disciples. Showing Christ’s love is one of the most basic

methods for spreading the good news of Jesus, and yet it is sometimes

the most difficult thing for us to do.

The

command to love one another is to reflect Christ’s love for

us—unconditional and sacrificial. By this, the world will know who

(and whose) we are.