Love One Another

by Dr. Ann Pearson on February 15, 2021

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34, 35

When Jesus said these words on the day before he was crucified, He tells His disciples to love one another so that everyone will know they are His disciples. Jesus knows that our actions reveal our true beliefs and motivations, and He encourages His followers to live out their faith by loving one another.

Jesus told His disciples how they would need to relate to each other after He was gone. “Love one another,” he commanded His disciples. Jesus did not focus on the feeling of love, but on the decision to love. Jesus knew that we would not always feel like loving each other, so he commanded we show love to one another. Love is first a decision, not an emotion.

Jesus understands that it doesn’t do any good to preach a gospel of grace and then have a critical spirit toward the people around us. In addition, it doesn’t help people to tell them that God loves them and then ignore their basic needs. We are called to show the love of Jesus to the people around us, and then they will know we really believe in God’s love.

A command to love is not always easy to obey although Jesus has given us a model for this love through His own ministry. We are to love, Jesus says, “as I have loved you.” In His love for us, Jesus was willing to die for our sins and provide a way for us to have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

As we have sat in our pews for years with our Church family, even with our many differences, we have been called to love and respect one another. Jesus says that when we love as He has loved, we will become a powerful witness for people who do not know Jesus. By this everyone will know that we are His disciples and truly children of God.

Our daily challenge is to serve as effective disciples and point others to faith in Christ. Our witness actually begins with the way we treat people and love one another.

I invite you to reflect on the words in the song,

They will know we are Christians by Our Love.

We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love

We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news
That God is in our land

And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love

We will work with each other
We will work side by side
We will work with each other
We will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride

And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love

All praise to the Father
From whom all things come
And all praise to Christ Jesus His only son
And all praise to the Spirit
Who makes us one

And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to love one another as You have loved us, so that we may be a witness in your kingdom. May we be open to the people You bring into our lives and be a faithful model of Your love. In Jesus Holy Name We Pray, Amen.

My Love and prayers,

Ann

P.S. Happy Belated Valentine’s Day! I love you all.

About the Author

Dr. Ann Pearson

Ann graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Consumer Economics and household Equipment. She has a Masters in Science in Grief Counseling and Thanatology as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling and Thanatology from Breyer State University.

Her early professional career was spent working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, helping families of low income; working for the City of Charlotte Public Works Dept. and as a preschool teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mobile and Fairhope AL. Ann has lived in Fairhope since 1986 where she immediately began serving in the youth department of Fairhope UMC. She joined the staff in 1990 as Youth Director, serving twice in this position and was also the interim Director of Children and Family Ministries for two years here! Ann had dual positions here at Fairhope UMC as Youth Director and Director of Caring Ministries which led to her becoming the full time Director of Caring Ministries in 2000. Ann loves her church family and appreciates the humble opportunity to be serving in this community. Ann has 2 children: daughter, Allison (Ryan) and son, Brad (Kate) and four granddaughters between the two! You will come to know she is passionate about University of Alabama Football, Grayton Beach and taking care of the people in this community by offering love, peace and God’s grace.

return to Daily Devotionals