Letters from the Beloved – One degree from Jesus, Part 2

Last week, I wrote about how we know that we are “one degree” from Jesus, as part of exploring this segment of 1 John: 1 John 2:3-6 [NKJV] 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

This week, I’d like us to consider how others know that we are one degree from Jesus.

When I am one degree from Jesus, others whom I work with, live with and come into contact with should enjoy the benefits of being only two degrees from Jesus (e.g., “I know someone who knows Jesus very well.”)

How will they know? We head to John’s Gospel book for the answer.

John 13:34-35 [NKJV] 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Yep. Love. That’s the key. So, key, in fact, that in the last hours before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus repeatedly gave His disciples this message of loving one another.

John 15:12, 17 [NKJV] 12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ... 17 "These things I command you, that you love one another.”

Between these two verses, Jesus outlines that they is no greater love than laying down your life for others (as He was about to do), tells His disciples they are no longer servants but now are friends, and points out that they are chosen by God to bear fruit. These things would be the evidence of that love.

1 John 2:3-6 [NKJV] 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

It was important to Jesus at the end that He remind them of being called to love. But He spoke about love throughout the His earthly ministry. In my last blog I reminded us that all the law and the prophets are based on loving God and loving our fellow man.  [Matthew 22:36-40]

Jesus also gave us an idea on how we will be judged regarding love = not that we loved, but how we showed evidence of that love. We find it in Matthew 25:31-46. Love pours itself out of us in acts of service to others: visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, etc.

When we do these acts of service and kindness to others, they will know that they are two degrees from Jesus. When people see us doing those things, they will know that I am one degree from Jesus. They will see us loving as Jesus loved – Jesus who healed the sick and feed the hungry Himself.

Did you notice in John 13 and John 15 quoted above that Jesus said, “as I have loved you.” Natural, human love will not be enough. We must have Christ-like love for others in order for them to see that we are so close to Him. We must imitate His way of forgiving even those who hate and harm us, if others are to understand how close we are to Him.

Our Christ-like love will convince others that we really know Jesus. Love put into actions – to acts of service and acts of forgiveness – will be the evidence that you and I are one degree from Jesus.

Yes, love is keeping the law, because all the law and the prophets hang on love. [Matthew 22:36-40] But keeping the law is not what will convince others, nor is it listed in how Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats on judgement day. [Matthew 25:31-46] Christ-like love is found in the doing of good things toward others.

Let’s all go out and do some love today. Not so that we can say, “I am one degree from Jesus”, but so others can see it for themselves. Do it so that others, through our acts of love can say, “I was just two degrees from Jesus today.”

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments section or at Nancy@DyanmicChristianMinistries.org