The title of this series is "10+1," and we are looking at all the commandments that are given in the Bible. However, the more I researched this (and maybe this will make up for how late this post is) I found there are other "commandments" hiding out in the New and Old Testament that we sometimes overlook. So, really, we should have called this "10+how many other commandments can we find in the Bible."

One of these commandments is listed above. Christ tells us, I am giving you a new commandment, to love each other, and by that love people will know that we are his disciples. This really makes me think about how we present ourselves to others. I heard a great sermon last week on having influence on people and that everything we do influences someone, be it our coworkers, or friends, our kids, families, whatever, we are making an influence. The question was said, it isn't IF you are making an influence it is what TYPE of influence are you making?

This really got me thinking. I try my best to stay positive and strong, but lately I have been a little discouraged by some things that are happening in my home church and I was complaining about it to people who didn't go to church ... I was hit smack in the face when one of those people said to me, "this makes me not want to go to church." CRAP.

In my complaining, I gave the entirely wrong impression of what church was, and I realized that because I was not offering a whole lot of grace to my current situation, I wasn't doing a good job of showing grace overall. My influence, even though I didn't mean it, ended up being the wrong kind. Luckily, I was able to discuss this again with the person and I think I have cleared it up, but talk about MOUTH, INSERT FOOT.

So, we are to love each other. Even when we are mad, even when we are upset, even when things don't go the way that we think they should. We should give this love out freely and openly, like Christ did. We should be a positive influence on others and, well, get over ourselves. Or, at least that's the message that I am working on for my life. "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples," it's enough to change the world.

Discussion starters:
1. Have you ever put your foot in your mouth when talking about religion with others?
2. Where is it hardest for you to show "love for one another?"
3. What advice would you give others to help show love to the world?