By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples

"We must have love, not only show love, but have it in the root and habit of it, and have it when there is not any present occasion to show it; have it ready…Brotherly love is the badge of Christ's disciples. By this he knows them, by this they may know themselves, and by this others may know them. This is the [badge] of his family, the distinguishing character of his disciples; this he would have them noted for, as that wherein they excelled all others - their loving one another. This was what their Master was famous for; all that ever heard of him have heard of his love, his great love; and therefore, if you see any people more affectionate one to another than what is common, say, 'Certainly these are the followers of Christ, they have been with Jesus.' Now by this it appears, that the heart of Christ was very much upon it, that his disciples should love one another. In this they must be [focused]; whereas the way of the world is to be every one for himself, they should be hearty for one another. He does not say, by this shall men know that you are my disciples – if you work miracles…but if you love one another from a principle of self-denial and gratitude to Christ. This, Christ would have to be the…principal note of the true church." – Matthew Henry