The act that Jesus did before He made that comment was to wash His disciples’ feet. This job was usually done by the lowliest person present. It was the work of a servant or a slave. Yet, Jesus, their Teacher, did it.
There are several definitions of the word love. In this instance, it is agape . That means it is a spiritual love, not one sexual in nature, nor the love between parent and child. This kind of love means, to me, service love.
It’s not always easy to show that kind of love at all times and in all places. The guy that cuts me off when I’m driving makes me angry. The person who makes insensitive comments hurts my feelings. We’ve all got that, and other negative emotions to deal with. It’s how we react to it that makes a difference.
There is something else that bothered me about the comment I read. The person writing it is not, to my knowledge, a Christian. However, the person felt that Christians look down on and treat those who are different cruelly. Basically, if you’re not “in the club,” you’re not worthwhile. That’s a disturbing picture. Have we gotten so far away from what Christ asked us to do that we see those who aren’t His followers as of less importance? Someone to pick on? Someone to revile? That’s not going to win many converts.
Christianity is not a club. You don’t have to dress a certain way to be a Christian. You don’t have to only listen to approved music. You don’t have to belong to any particular denomination. All you have to do is believe in Christ and do His will. His will is to love God and to love each other.
I can tell you from personal experience that I don’t always follow those rules. It’s hard to love someone who has hurt you. I also know that God is aware that I’ll mess up. He’s aware that all of us will. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
There are ways to apply this in your life. Some of them won’t be easy, but all of them will show what Christianity is. Those who have time, do volunteer work. Those who have money, donate. Those who have a skill, use it. Don’t advertise your good works, but do them quietly, and with true love in your heart. It will change you, and it may change the heart of someone who doesn’t know Christ.