The following verses take place during the Last Supper while Jesus was speaking to his disciples.
John 13: 34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Jesus is speaking to his disciples concerning their love for each other, (not unbelievers). This is evident when you skip forward to the Book of Acts where thousands are coming to Christ. Unity and utter sacrificial love for other believers are huge and common themes throughout the book.
Not only that, but the believers even set out requirements for the widows whom they took care of. They had to be the "wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good lwork." (1 Tim 5: 9-10)
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, y'all, but they weren't taking care of cantankerous, old, unbelieving women; they took care of their own.
This next statement is gonna cause quite the stir, BUT maybe if we Christians focused more of our efforts on actually loving one another (other believers) with a sacrificial ove, "in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3 also speaking to believers and their actions toward one another) just maybe unbelievers would know us and want to be us.
So often we focus so much on loving the unbelievers, and then turning around and fighting, arguing, bickering, and tearing other Christians apart. I think we need a change in our perspective and a huge shift in our focus.
Don't tear down the family right in front of you for the stranger at the back door.
Comments
Post a Comment