A Holy People Who Truly Love One Another
Scripture:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
– John 13:34–35 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Pastor Darren said something sharp: “It is not a trait of a holy people to bite and devour and to gnash and fight and be jealous and quarrelsome.” He noted how some in the older church generations knew how to separate from the world but struggled to love the people they didn’t understand—even inside the church.
Jesus makes it incredibly simple and incredibly challenging: the distinguishing mark of His disciples is love for one another. Not theological knowledge. Not giftedness. Not church involvement. Love.
Holiness and love are not opposites. True holiness will make you more gracious, more patient, more humble, more eager to serve, and slower to judge. Paul said the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).
Sometimes we can be good at loving “lost” people and bad at loving fellow believers—with their flaws, differences, and immaturities. Or we’re the opposite: we’re kind to church folks but harsh to those outside.
The Holy Spirit wants to address both. A holy church is one that stands apart from sin but moves toward people in love—inside and outside the body. Pastor Darren believes God is calling us not just to be separate from the world, but deeply connected in love to each other.
Reflection:
1. Are you better at loving people outside the church or inside it? Why do you think that is?
2. Who, specifically, is hardest for you to love right now (in your family, church, or workplace)?
3. Pray: “Lord, I repent of any bitterness, jealousy, or harshness toward others. Teach me to love like You do—especially those I don’t understand or naturally like.”
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
– John 13:34–35 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Pastor Darren said something sharp: “It is not a trait of a holy people to bite and devour and to gnash and fight and be jealous and quarrelsome.” He noted how some in the older church generations knew how to separate from the world but struggled to love the people they didn’t understand—even inside the church.
Jesus makes it incredibly simple and incredibly challenging: the distinguishing mark of His disciples is love for one another. Not theological knowledge. Not giftedness. Not church involvement. Love.
Holiness and love are not opposites. True holiness will make you more gracious, more patient, more humble, more eager to serve, and slower to judge. Paul said the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).
Sometimes we can be good at loving “lost” people and bad at loving fellow believers—with their flaws, differences, and immaturities. Or we’re the opposite: we’re kind to church folks but harsh to those outside.
The Holy Spirit wants to address both. A holy church is one that stands apart from sin but moves toward people in love—inside and outside the body. Pastor Darren believes God is calling us not just to be separate from the world, but deeply connected in love to each other.
Reflection:
1. Are you better at loving people outside the church or inside it? Why do you think that is?
2. Who, specifically, is hardest for you to love right now (in your family, church, or workplace)?
3. Pray: “Lord, I repent of any bitterness, jealousy, or harshness toward others. Teach me to love like You do—especially those I don’t understand or naturally like.”