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“By this shall all men know……”
The context of this declaration of our Lord is his love for his sheep. It is his love for us that causes us to follow him and love those that follow him. Christ’s love for the sheep is manifest by what he did and does for us. He laid down his life for us and we will do likewise if we are his - 1John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Love for Christ, his gospel and the brethren is begotten in the new heart of every child of God and is without exception expressed in their lives for all to observe. This is the fruit of the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts - Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Where this love is not present the flesh with its lusts and evil nature will prevail and will be evident as well - Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” It is possible to make an outward show with the same expressions that love does but it is not possible to have love and not express love. Both will come to light eventually - 1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it..” Every tree shall be known by it’s fruit. I know that God looks on the heart, but what is in a man’s heart will be expressed in his speech, attitude and deeds - Mt 12:34 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Do our children, family and neighbors know that we love him? By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Tommy |