“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35

There is no shortage of noise in our world today—loud voices, sharp rhetoric, and endless opinions demanding our allegiance. But for those of us who follow Christ, there is a clear and timeless instruction from Jesus Himself: we are to be known by our love. Not by our arguments, our positions, or our affiliations—but by how we love.

Love is not passive agreement or blind tolerance. It is fierce in its protection of dignity. It is honest, humble, and sometimes costly. Love reflects the heart of Christ, who did not draw dividing lines between those worthy and unworthy of care, but moved toward the hurting, the marginalized, and the misrepresented. He didn’t posture for power; He knelt to wash feet.

So it is right—and wise—to pause and examine where we place our loyalty. If an individual, a church, a political figure, or an organization makes its name by spreading hate, fostering division, or belittling any image bearer of God, then we must ask: Is this the way of Jesus?

Scripture teaches that every person bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27). That alone demands respect. And yet, in the name of religion, people are often degraded rather than dignified. We are watching this unfold in real time across our culture—where fear is cloaked as faith, and cruelty masquerades as conviction.

But love cannot be divorced from truth. And the truth is, if our beliefs lead us to despise, dismiss, or dehumanize, we are no longer walking in the way of Christ.

It is not unfaithful to question. In fact, it may be the most faithful thing we can do.
To ask:
– Does this align with the character of Jesus?
– Would the fruit of this be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
– Or is it bearing fruit of pride, rage, fear, and contempt?

Love is how we will be recognized. It’s the evidence of Christ alive in us. So let us be people who love bravely. Who speak truthfully. Who do not flinch from accountability, nor shrink back from mercy.

And when we see hate disguised as holiness—may we be discerning enough to step back. May we have the courage to walk away. And may we never forget that our first and lasting call is not to a party or personality, but to a Person—Jesus Christ, whose love made the broken whole and called us all His own.