“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.’” John 13:34-35 NKJV
Although I struggle with running technical trails (and I use the term “running” loosely here since what I do on this type of terrain could better be defined as plodding), I had the best time on Saturday at the Bleak Midwinter Endurance Run presented by the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH). From the moment my husband and I arrived at the start line, I could sense there was something different about this race and the people putting it on. As I then interacted with the MBCH volunteers, the timing company, and the pastor (all believers) throughout the morning, the love they had for one another and showed to the racers and to us (as runners and also as a part of Runner’s Church Ministries that exists to “bring church to wherever runners run”) was evident as to why my spirit sensed the difference. This was a feeling my husband confirmed a few hours later as we ran loop four of the 4.25 mile course together. “This is such a unique and awesome race,” he said out of the blue as we made our way through the woods. “You can just feel the love here. The aid station food was planned with extra care and the workers were so happy to help everyone and make them feel welcome. And the pastor even came out on the trail and took the time to thank us for supporting the race.” “Oh honey I so agree,” came my reply. “You can definitely feel the difference when a race is put on by believers.” And then I added, “We are definitely coming back next year!” But isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be? After all, as believers, we are called to be so set apart that people (even nonbelievers) sense that we’re different, even if they don’t understand why.
And, you know, it’s this set-apartness that Jesus commands us, as His followers, to model to the world saying, “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.” You see, the command to love our neighbor as ourselves wasn’t a new command. But the kind of love Jesus displayed to the disciples for us to model was a new command for how we are to love those in ‘the family.’ Spurgeon explains it this way, “We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, but we are to love our fellow-Christians as Christ loved us, and that is far more than we love ourselves.” This unique and self- sacrificial love, empowered only by the Holy Spirit, bears witness to our faith, points others to Christ, and compels the lost to join ‘the family.’
So, knowing that the love we show for ‘the family’ sets us apart like nothing else can, let us do all we can to love our brothers and sisters as Jesus loved us my friend. And then, let the love we have for one another give us the oneness of heart, mind, and purpose to serve Him in ways that lead the lost to the foot of the cross.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your Son Jesus Christ to display the greatest love this world has ever known. Help us to love our brothers and sisters in the same way and to love our neighbors as ourselves that we might impact a world in desperate need of the saving grace that only Jesus can provide. Help us to work together to fill needs in our communities and to battle the evil in our world Lord. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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