This article is a continuation of a series from “Teaching with Truth” about the purpose and power of Christian education and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Through this unsettling time and trial of the Coronavirus, Christians have been given the opportunity to be examples of Jesus Christ. Even through tribulations, God calls us to shine the light and love of Christ as we persevere in Him. In Romans 5:3-5, the Apostle Paul exhorts us with these verses from God’s Word:
We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
We persevere through tribulations because of the hope that comes from our faith in Christ and our love of Christ. When we believe in Jesus Christ and are born again, God gives us His love (agape) through the Holy Spirit. This is supernatural love only given to believers in Christ. Unbelievers are unable to receive this love (agape) because God’s love is only given to His children, believers in Christ. We see this in 1 John 3:1:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that’s what we are! The reason the world does not know us is because it does not know Him.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called by God to be an example with the love of Christ. “They will know we are Christians by our love” is more than lyrics in a song, it is the foundation of the Christian’s life. We are to be different from the world and attract others to Christ by the way we love fellow believers and unbelievers. This more than anything, breaks down barriers and gives us the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the only thing that truly transforms a person from darkness into light and deadness into life (Ephesians 2:1-5; 5:8).
In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Peter states something similar in 1 Peter 2:21, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” And what is the example of Christ that only believers can follow? Jesus tells His disciples in John 13:34-35:
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.
It is only through faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth, that a person can know the love of God. And the love of God is the outpouring and demonstration of our faith as we share God’s love with others. Do you know the love of God? Are you an example of Jesus Christ?
May God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!