Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). In today’s digital age, one might go so far as to say, “You will know them by their posts.” But as we scroll through social media, it often leaves us wondering, “Where is the love?”
Christians are called to a life of love that transcends mere words. Our love isn’t meant to be a slogan; it’s meant to be an action that permeates our every interaction, both in person and online. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus summed up the greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. How we live and treat others is the truest testament to our faith. Yet, as we peruse the Internet, many posts by self-proclaimed believers do not reflect this calling.
We can talk about love, forgiveness, and grace, but we risk becoming hypocrites if we don’t live these principles. We may have the best intentions, but it’s easy to get sidetracked by our sinful nature. Our pride, fear, and anger often lead us away from the love Christ demonstrated. I’ve struggled with this myself.
Jesus came so that we “may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10), but distractions—whether pleasing or alarming—often lead us away from that abundance. The enemy thrives on diverting our focus from Christ, just as Peter’s fear caused him to sink when he walked on water (Matthew 14:29-30). When our attention shifts away from Christ, we lose sight of the love we are meant to show.
Loving others isn’t just for the easy moments. Jesus commanded us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Often, our enemies are the people closest to us—our neighbors, family, or those with opposing views. Loving them requires us to keep our eyes on Jesus, who forgave and loved us even when we were undeserving.
This is the essence of discipleship. Jesus said that people would recognize His followers by their love for one another (John 13:35). That love, however, isn’t about making ourselves or the gospel more “attractive.” As 1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us, the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. The world may never fully understand or accept the gospel, even if we shower it with love. But that shouldn’t stop us from living it out.
It’s easy to think that if we were just “nicer” or more agreeable, more people would accept Christianity. While love is crucial, the gospel itself often offends. When Jesus spoke about God’s kingdom, some were drawn in by His love and compassion, but many were driven away by the truth He spoke. As followers of Christ, we must be careful not to dilute the gospel to gain acceptance.
We may be tempted to stay silent to avoid the discomfort of addressing difficult truths. But silence can lead us away from the gospel, which is meant to be proclaimed boldly—even if the world doesn’t want to hear it. Remember Jesus’ words: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” (John 15:18). True love doesn’t avoid difficult conversations; it brings the truth in grace and compassion.
Where is the Love in Our Posts?
When we look at how Christians interact on social media, it’s often disappointing. Some resort to harsh judgments, divisive rhetoric, or self-righteous declarations, echoing the attitude of the Pharisees. Others twist the definition of love to suit their own comfort, picking and choosing who they deem worthy of love. This isn’t what Jesus taught.
Imagine a church truly known for its love, one that welcomes outcasts, those judged by society, and those who are broken. If churches consistently demonstrated that love, we might see more of those in need come to us. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to approach the church because they expect judgment, not love.
It’s true that even if we were known for love, some would still reject us. But right now, the world has valid reasons to criticize us. Many Christians don’t show love; worse, some don’t care about it. This lack of concern for living out the love of Jesus mindset is a tragic contradiction of our calling.
As Christians, we need to take responsibility for how we reflect Jesus. Romans 12:14-15 urges us to bless those who persecute us and to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. This empathy—this deep understanding and connection with others—is how we can begin to love like Jesus.
1 John 3:18 reminds us to say we love one another and show it by our actions. Whether online or in person, our love should be the living example of the Gospel. We can choose to reflect the love that Jesus showed us—love that forgives, shows mercy, and sacrifices without hesitation.
Christianity may never fully shake off the weight of its complex history, but that doesn’t mean we are free from the responsibility of reflecting Jesus’ love. Each of us can shine the light of the love of Jesus mindset in darkness. We should not make excuses for why we can’t love others, nor should we twist the definition of love to make it easier.
The way we post and interact online reveals the condition of our hearts. If we truly want to show the love of Jesus, it has to start there. I’m not asking anyone to do something impossible. I’m simply encouraging us to align our actions with our beliefs, striving for the love of Jesus mindset with empathy and grace. When we do that, even in the digital world, we may reflect Christ’s love more clearly.
After all, if we are truly His disciples, people should be able to tell… even by our posts.