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.

The mark of a true Christian is when we love those who do not love us and are hard to love.

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."