The Proof Is in the Love – Greg Laurie Devotion – February 6, 2026

Biblical Context

The profound declaration in John 13:35 is nestled within Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, a series of intimate teachings given to His disciples in the Upper Room just hours before His betrayal and crucifixion. Authored by John, one of Jesus’ closest apostles, this Gospel account provides a unique, eyewitness perspective on the identity and mission of Christ. Chapter 13 specifically opens with Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, an object lesson in humble service that immediately precedes this new command. Amidst the somber atmosphere of His impending departure, Jesus imparts essential truths about life in the new covenant. This particular verse, following His command to “love each other, just as I have loved you” (John 13:34 nlt), elevates mutual love among believers to the ultimate litmus test for genuine discipleship. It is not merely a suggestion but a defining characteristic, a visible testimony to a watching world that points directly to Him.

Key Word Study

The central operative word in John 13:35 is “love,” derived from the Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē). In the New Testament, agapē signifies a distinct type of love, transcending mere affection, romantic desire (eros), or familial bonds (philia). Agapē is a volitional, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love that seeks the highest good of the other, irrespective of their merit or reciprocating feelings. It is a divine love, the very nature of God (1 John 4:8), and the love with which Christ loved humanity (John 3:16). When Jesus commands His disciples to love one another with agapē, He is calling them to a radical, supernatural love that goes against natural inclinations, demanding humility, forgiveness, and active benevolence. It is this supernatural, God-originating love, demonstrated within the community of believers, that serves as undeniable proof of their connection to Him.

The Search for Authentic Love: A Personal Journey

The human heart yearns for genuine connection, for a love that is real and peace that endures. This profound longing was beautifully articulated by Greg Laurie, who recounted that “Before I became a believer, one of the things that attracted me to the Christian faith was the way Christians loved each other.” His formative years, spent in the turbulent 1960s, were saturated with superficial declarations of affection. As he describes, “We wore peace symbols and used words like groovy. We talked incessantly about love and peace. But it was a sham. There was no love or peace—at least, not as we envisioned it.” The vibrant counterculture, despite its outward displays, ultimately revealed a deep “hypocrisy at the heart of the counterculture.”

Having been raised in a “broken home,” Laurie sought solace and meaning, initially attempting to find it in the movements of the era. He “tried to buy into their philosophies for a time, not because I was looking for a buzz or excitement, but because I was looking for meaning in life.” Yet, the void remained. His spirit found no true resonance, no lasting peace, until a pivotal encounter: “But nothing really resonated with me until I started meeting Christians.” What he observed was strikingly different from the empty promises of the world. He witnessed them gathering for “Bible studies on my high school campus,” and watched “them hug each other and say, ‘God bless you.’”

Initially, this genuine display of affection sparked skepticism: “I thought, ‘This can’t be real. They can’t really care about each other. There’s no way.’” This cynical outlook, born of past disappointments, began to crumble under the weight of consistent, authentic love. “But as I kept watching them, it started bugging me.” This discomfort wasn’t negative but was the Holy Spirit stirring within him, prompting a profound reevaluation: “And then I thought, ‘What if they’re right and I’m wrong? What if the love is real and not an act? What if God really is living inside them? What if they have the truth? If that’s true, then I don’t have it, and I don’t have the answers. That means I need to hear what they have to say.’” This powerful testimony underscores Jesus’ deep understanding of humanity’s yearning for authentic connection, which is why “He told His followers, ‘Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples’ (John 13:35 nlt).” This verse isn’t just a command; it’s a profound statement about the visible manifestation of divine life within believers.

The Challenge of Discipleship: Loving Beyond Natural Inclination

The love Jesus calls us to display is not a shallow sentiment; it’s a transformative force that often requires intentional effort. “That love for one another doesn’t always come naturally. Nor should it. Nothing worthwhile is easy.” This divine love often brings together individuals who, by worldly standards, might have little in common. The saying “politics makes strange bedfellows” finds a parallel in the Christian faith, where the call to discipleship intentionally transcends societal divisions. Jesus’ Great Commission, recorded in Matthew 28:19 nlt, urges His followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations.” This monumental task inherently involves “bringing people together from all walks of life—people who are culturally, politically, socioeconomically, and temperamentally different from one another. In other words, people with little in common.”

The early church wrestled with these very challenges, as evidenced by the apostle Paul’s powerful declaration in Galatians 3:28 nlt: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This radical statement of equality and unity in Christ shattered the deeply ingrained social, ethnic, and gender hierarchies of the ancient world. Yet, as the devotional rightly points out, “the prejudices and misunderstandings that exist between these disparate groups don’t magically disappear when people come to Christ.” Conversion is a starting point, not an endpoint for personal transformation. Believers are called to a continuous process: they “must work to change their thinking, to reach out to people who are different from them, to tear down walls and build bridges. To show love.” This is the arduous, yet immensely rewarding, work of living out the gospel in community.

A Powerful Testimony to a Divided World

The ultimate question for every believer, then, is a deeply personal and practical one: “Can people see that kind of love in your life?” In an era increasingly fragmented by ideological divides, cultural clashes, and relational brokenness, the visible unity of the Church stands as a counter-cultural beacon. “When people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures set aside differences and come together to worship in the name of Jesus Christ, it serves as a powerful testimony to a world that is more divided than ever.” This love isn’t merely a feeling; it’s an action, a conscious choice to embrace and value those whom the world might separate. It is the tangible evidence of God’s transforming power, proving to all observers that we are indeed His disciples. This love, demonstrated through genuine connection, forgiveness, and mutual support, becomes the most compelling sermon the world will ever hear. It reflects the very heart of God and invites others to discover the true source of love and peace found only in Jesus Christ.