It Shows in How We Love
Discipleship isn’t just about how many verses you can quote or how often you attend church. It’s about transformation—inward and outward. Jesus made it clear that people will know we’re His disciples by our love (John 13:35).
Think of it like spiritual CrossFit—except instead of burpees, you’re learning how to love people who chew too loudly in Bible study. It might be funny, but this kind of love is hard. It stretches us in the best and most painful ways, because it reflects Jesus Himself.
In this second part of our series on the conduct of a disciple, we’re moving from the inward life to the outward signs. In Part 1, we talked about putting Christ first, abiding in His Word, and dying to self. Now we look at two visible marks of a true follower of Jesus: loving God’s family and bearing lasting fruit.
1. A Disciple Loves God’s Family
John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV)
Love is the proof of discipleship. Not perfect theology. Not social media arguments. Not even church involvement. Real, sacrificial, grace-filled love.
Because let’s face it—Jesus didn’t say “they’ll know you’re my disciples by how many hot takes you can fit into a tweet.”
1 Peter 4:8-10 adds, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Love makes room for failure, differences, and growth.
Show hospitality without grumbling… even when someone shows up unannounced and drinks the last LaCroix. Yes, even then. Real love means extending grace when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or undeserved—because that’s exactly what Jesus did for us.
2. A Disciple Bears Fruit
John 15:8 says, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
What kind of fruit are we talking about? Yes, there’s the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), but Jesus also meant disciple-making. In Matthew 28:19-20, He tells us to go and make disciples.
You’ve never seen a tree straining and sweating to grow an apple. It just stays rooted and the fruit happens. Same with us—minus the bark and the squirrels.
Paul echoes this in Philemon 1:6, praying that our faith-sharing would be effective. Making disciples isn’t just for missionaries and pastors—it’s the calling of every believer. We don’t bear fruit by accident. We bear fruit by obedience, courage, and intentional living.
Jesus didn’t die to make us comfortable—He died to make us holy. If our faith never stretches us, costs us, or compels us to speak, are we truly following Him?
It’s Time to Multiply
Disciples don’t just absorb truth—they multiply it. Richard Rogers said it best: “If I am to be a disciple of Christ, I must study the word, die to self, love my brothers, and I have to go and make other disciples.”
Let’s not settle for being spiritual consumers. Let’s become disciple-makers whose lives overflow with love and lasting fruit.
Because nobody remembers the guy who sat in the pew for 30 years and never invited a soul to lunch—much less to Jesus.
So the question is: What fruit will your life leave behind? And maybe a more urgent one: what can you do today to make sure it matters? Start now. Share the gospel. Love someone boldly. Don’t wait until you feel ready—Jesus already said to go.
Imagine if every believer truly lived to multiply. Our churches would overflow, our neighborhoods would change, and generations would know Jesus because of your obedience today.
Application
I want to challenge you to take two action steps based on this article:
- Reach out to a fellow believer this week with a word of encouragement. Or better yet, serve someone in a tangible way—without expecting anything in return.
- Identify one person who doesn’t know Jesus. Pray for them daily this week. Look for an opportunity to share your faith naturally and humbly.
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