In John 13:34, Jesus made an interesting statement. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Then He went on to say, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Here Jesus made two important statements. First, He commanded us to love each other. Then He said that the way people would know that we were Christians is by the love we have for each other.
Jesus didn’t say that His disciples would be recognized as Christians because of some gold embossed certificate or license hanging on an office wall. Jesus didn’t say that His disciples would be recognized as Christians because of the way they would dress. He did not require a certain type of design on their robes.
Jesus said that the way His disciples would be recognized would be one way and one way only. Others would see that they had love for each other. Then the world would know that they were disciples of Jesus.
Jesus commanded us again in John 15:12, where He said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Jesus did not ask us to love each other, He commanded us to love each other. It is not an option for a Christian. It is a requirement.
Once a man told me that it was impossible for him to love this certain person. Then he spent much time telling me the details about this man and how he had destroyed his home and his marriage. Then he went on to say. “So you see, that’s why it’s impossible for me to love this man. I’m sure God understands.”
Well, he’s right. God does understand that under natural circumstances it would be impossible to walk in love. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we have access to power that helps us love those who don’t deserve it.
After all, what’s the big deal about loving someone who is nice to you and loves you? Anybody can do that. The mark of a true Christian is when we love those who do not love us and are hard to love.
In Matthew 5:43, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Then Jesus goes on to say, “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Here Jesus puts it on the line. If we only love those who love us, we are no different than the world. Even the people of the world who are not Christians love those who love them. But we are to be different. We as Christians are not under the old law. We are under the new covenant. We live under the law of love.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of eight books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.