Christian love: real or empty?

They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love; they will know that we are Christians by our love.

This line from a popular Christian song talks about Christians working together and guarding each others' dignity. That's God's original design.

Jesus intended for his followers to love each other. How do we know? It's what he told his disciples, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34,35).

Christians, people who believe in Jesus, should be known by their love for God, for each other, and also for those around them. Jesus, on one occasion when questioned by a teacher of the law about the greatest commandment, said simply to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." Then he added that the second commandment was like it, "love your neighbor as yourself." He summed it up by saying, "There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:29,30). Love God and love others. It's the Jesus Creed, according to Scot McKnight.

So, what happened? Is this kind of love what comes to mind when people think of Christians? Probably not. Last October,  USA Today reported that young people think of Christians as judgmental and critical - a sentiment shared by many adults. How can this be if we're supposed to be known by our love? What has gone wrong?

Maybe we've lost our focus. Maybe we've forgotten the greatest commandment. Maybe our love is not real.

What would happen if we, as Christians, actually loved each other? Would the world be more interested in connecting with us? Would they be more interested in Jesus?

What do you think?