Today we hear a lot about love but do we really understand what it means. Oh, I am not talking about the world and their mixed up thinking about love. I want to talk today about the love of Christians. One of the first things children learn in church is to love each other. As Christians we are taught to love one another, we sing about the love of Christ, we hear sermons about loving the world to Jesus! We do a good job teaching about love but do we live it out? I believe if we did a better job loving each other, every church would be overflowing. People today need and crave love and they are looking for it everywhere. If they could find it within the walls of the church they would be there.
In fact, the opposite is true; if we do not love then we drive people away. I believe the greatest thing that has driven the non-Christian away from church is Christians fighting and destroying each other. It is so sad to hear the non-Christian speak of Christians and the church. Many times we try so hard to force our beliefs on others; they see no love in us. They only see self righteous judgment!One of the saddest stories I have heard is from a non-believer woman. She was telling me about a church in her town that had a reputation for fighting each other. It was complete drama and the fuel for the daily town gossip. She told me how people in town who weren’t members of this church would go to their business meetings just for the entertainment of watching the Christians brawl.
I remember when my children were young teenagers. It distressed my heart so much when they would fight and argue. Bryce assured me that he would never be friends with his sister. All I wanted was for my children to love each other and for us to find great comfort in our family relationships. I am thankful that today they are very close. I thank God for it every day.
cannot imagine God’s disappointment in His children when we can’t even love each other. God lays out the way we should treat each other. He teaches us how to handle conflict and He teaches us how to forgive. We should not tell anybody how God can change their lives if we refuse to let Him change our own. The world should see something different in God’s children. However, sadly they usually see no difference at all in us! We are to give the world a correct picture of who God is, to show His glory to the world. How can we do that when we can’t even get along inside our Christian circles?
One of my greatest concerns is that a non-believer will be watching me and say, "If that is what it means to be a Christian, I don't want it." Can others see Christ in you by how you love others? Are there Christian relationships that you need to heal? Do you truly take the time and effort to love others or are you just friendly on the surface? If there was a hidden video taping you, would you be pleased with the viewing?
In fact, the opposite is true; if we do not love then we drive people away. I believe the greatest thing that has driven the non-Christian away from church is Christians fighting and destroying each other. It is so sad to hear the non-Christian speak of Christians and the church. Many times we try so hard to force our beliefs on others; they see no love in us. They only see self righteous judgment!One of the saddest stories I have heard is from a non-believer woman. She was telling me about a church in her town that had a reputation for fighting each other. It was complete drama and the fuel for the daily town gossip. She told me how people in town who weren’t members of this church would go to their business meetings just for the entertainment of watching the Christians brawl.
I remember when my children were young teenagers. It distressed my heart so much when they would fight and argue. Bryce assured me that he would never be friends with his sister. All I wanted was for my children to love each other and for us to find great comfort in our family relationships. I am thankful that today they are very close. I thank God for it every day.
cannot imagine God’s disappointment in His children when we can’t even love each other. God lays out the way we should treat each other. He teaches us how to handle conflict and He teaches us how to forgive. We should not tell anybody how God can change their lives if we refuse to let Him change our own. The world should see something different in God’s children. However, sadly they usually see no difference at all in us! We are to give the world a correct picture of who God is, to show His glory to the world. How can we do that when we can’t even get along inside our Christian circles?
One of my greatest concerns is that a non-believer will be watching me and say, "If that is what it means to be a Christian, I don't want it." Can others see Christ in you by how you love others? Are there Christian relationships that you need to heal? Do you truly take the time and effort to love others or are you just friendly on the surface? If there was a hidden video taping you, would you be pleased with the viewing?
For the whole Law is complied with in the one precept, you shall love [agape] your neighbor as you do yourself. But if you bite and devour one another (in partisan strife), be careful that you (and your whole fellowship) are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:14-15
1 comment:
It just seems so hard to show love to some people. I am having a hard time with someone at work and I don't want to be kind. I want to be hateful and rude...although I know that is not the way. I hate it that I feel so mean about it. I guess if everyone was pleasant and nice it would be easy to love them, but since that is not the case it is hard.
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