Love One Another

Today as I was teaching my Primary class (Sunday school), I had a new insight. The lesson was called "I Can Be Kind" and included studying the parable of the Good Samaritan. I love teaching children about the words in the scriptures. I love stopping and telling them the meanings of words and helping them understand what's happening. I love seeing their faces light up as they understand and then asking questions and hearing their answers. After we got the story of the Samaritan under our belts, I challenged them to take their pictures home and ask their parents if they could tell the story in Family Home Evening. Great fun!

I then read another few verses that were suggested and had an a-ha! moment for myself. John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love on to another." I had somehow been mixed up most of my life. I had thought that people would notice me following Jesus because I didn't drink coffee, tea or alcohol. I thought people would notice me being a disciple because I tried hard to keep the Sabbath day holy. I thought that paying ten percent of my income to the church and hence to the Lord, was a sign of a disciple. I thought that refraining from gambling, swearing and instead reading the word of God and saying my prayers was proof of me being a disciple of Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I still think that all of these things are important, but for a much different reason than before.

I realized today that it is my love for others that defines my discipleship. Love, love, LOVE! I was thinking about it this afternoon after church and it occurred to me that doing those other things leaves me open to loving more. If I avoid addictive substances, avoid being an addict, I can spend my time caring for others that would have been trapped in endless self-absorption. If I keep the Sabbath day holy, I rest from the hubbub of week-day life long enough to regenerate and rest my physical body and feed myself spiritually so that I'm more open to being there for other people. If I read my scriptures and pray, I will make myself more open to knowing and understanding the word of God and hearing the Spirit, becoming prepared to serve and love others.

I know that I will struggle with this concept as I've had it mixed up for most of my life, but I'm so impressed at what I've learned today. It amazes me, truly. How many times have I read that verse (or sung the song "Love One Another"), and not understood?

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (italics added)