By The icon of Christian love among the NT church is a man named Gaius. 3 John 1:6 says that he loved other Christians “in a manner worthy of God”!
Not even the Roman Emperor would have been treated as well by his entourage as Christians were treated by Gaius. He treated them as though they were Jesus Christ Himself, reminiscent of what Jesus said while on earth right? – “if you do it to the least of these, you do it to Me” (Matthew 25:40)
Christian love is to be somewhat excessive. When Christians bombard one another with messages, visits and verbalised prayers during a particular trial or blessing, then the world pays attention. When Christians set aside their own weekday evenings to minister to one another at Bible study or their Saturdays to help each other move, then the world recognises a difference. When Christians set aside personal preferences for the sake of Truth and get along with one another when there is so much that could divide, then the world agrees there is something to be said about God’s work in your life. When Christians wrong one another, and forgive, or suffer loss rather than sue and be sued, then the world can only shake its head in astonishment.
When we as Christians love one another as we ought, then the never-ending love that God has for us is perfected in us because our love is evidence of true conversion, and daily gifts of enabling grace to go so strongly against our sinful instincts.
When we love one another in such a perfected and excessive way, then the perfection and completeness of God’s love for us is seen by the world and they get a glimpse of what God, who cannot be seen, is really like.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another
John 13:35