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We're compelled to love God's
family because it is a witness to the world.
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my
disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)
The whole world is watching how we love one another. Jesus gave the world the
right to judge the authenticity of our faith by how much we love one another.
We prove our faith in Christ, not by the rules we keep, but by the love we
give. Notice Jesus didn't say, "Love me," as proof of our discipleship.
He said, "Love one another, and that will show the world you belong to
me." Our love for one another is a tangible and contagious reflection of
God's love—allowing the world to witness the power of transformed
lives.
The best thing we can do to reach
our community for Christ is to love each other. As we love people into God's
kingdom, we start first by loving other believers. Until the world sees the
love of God modeled in Christian community, they're going to have trouble
believing it could ever exist. When we truly care for one another, we show the
world a love so tangible and contagious that they can't help but be attracted
to it.
As the world watches, they'll see us ". . .being of the same mind,
maintaining the same love, . . .intent on one purpose" (Philippians 2:2,
NAS), not merely looking out for our own personal interests, but also for each
other's interests (Philippians 2:3-4). The world is desperate for love and a
sense of community, and we're meant to be the salt (Matthew 5:13) that
increases their thirst for the living water (John 4:10). "Whoever believes
in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within
him" (John 7:38, NIV).Our love for one another shows the world our unity
with the Father, and also shows them that community requires unity—a oneness
about the purposes of life. Jesus said to his Father, "I want all [my
disciples] to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one
with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will
believe that you sent me" (John 17:21, CEV).
This means the influence of our
congregations is not about attendance, or buildings, or programs. Our influence
within the greater community is based upon our love for one another. We make a
statement about God by the way we love one another. It may be a positive
statement or it may be a negative one, but the fact is people often form their
opinions of God based upon our individual reputations: "You may be the
only picture of Jesus people will ever see." Or, they may form their
opinion of God based upon the reputation of our congregations—how we get along,
how we support each other, how we criticize, how we love one another. Isn't it
alarming, then, to think that we're often known for what we are against, rather
than by what we are for—the Good News of a love so "wide and long and high
and deep" that it encompasses more than any of us could ever imagine
(Ephesians 3:18, NIV). Our community of unity should reflect the faith we have
in the love of Jesus Christ. Our small groups are meant to be points of love
and light in the darkness of our communities. We're to let our "light
shine so that others will see the good" and praise our Father in heaven
(Matthew 5:16, CEV).
The world wants to know that the Good News of Jesus is true. This week's memory
verse, John 13:35, tells us that our love for each other is the proof the world
is looking for. People are less impressed with our words than they are with our
actions of love for one another. Your love for one another speaks volumes about
God's love: how loud is your voice?
POINT TO PONDER:
The whole world is watching how we love one another.
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my
disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)
The best way to build influence with others is by loving one
another. If you would like to know more or learn how to reach out to your
community in love, why not test drive the first week of 40 Days of Community by
Rick Warren.
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