“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
--John 13:34-35
If being a servant to others is such a simple concept to grasp, why don’t more people actually do it?
The answer is because we’re too focused on ourselves and our own needs! And in a culture that celebrates self above all else, it’s easy to understand why this is.
Yet the Bible doesn’t let us off the hook because the culture we live in doesn’t embrace humility or serving others unselfishly. The Scripture says that Jesus made himself nothing and took the form of a servant. And if Jesus who was God incarnate did this, so should we!
Think about the people with whom you live life. Think about your neighbors. Which of them could use your help? Who needs their yard mowed? Their trees pruned? Their leaves raked?
Think about work or school. Who needs help with their workload? Who needs a smile or word of encouragement given in the name of Christ? Think about your home life. How could you help your spouse out today? How could you serve your children?
It’s one thing to say you’re a Christian. It’s quite another thing to show that you’re a Christian.
Genuine love shown through humble service is a sure-fire way to turn people on to Jesus Christ. As he says in today’s verse, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
So my challenge to you is simple: Put on your badge as a believer by displaying a sacrificial, steadfast, and selfless love expressed in acts and deeds of kindness and ministry to the body of Christ and to the people who do not know him.
By this all people will know that you are his disciple!
IT’S ONE THING TO SAY YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN. IT’S QUITE ANOTHER THING TO SHOW THAT YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN.
4 comments:
This reminded me of the song "let them know we are Christians by our love" How powerful would it be if we could actually live this out???? Kate read a book once that said Christians are the first ones to shoot the lame. Kinda sad, but change has gotta start somewhere, so lets throw down the gauntlet.
cas
I think that most of us, me included, fall into "churchianity" - where we are doing everything that a good churchgoer would do, but not what Christ has called us to do. The two men who live across the street from me are gay, and churchianity would say that I need to look down on them and keep my family "safe" from them. Christ would say that I need to hold out the truth to them, in way that they can receive it, in patience and love. I gotta tell you that I am WAY more comfortable with the first approach than the second. As it warms up and people start working in their yards, I will have lots of chances to connect with them - pray that I don't blow it by retreating into my comfortable little life...
DSD, great perspective. I am with you with the neighbors. We have a new family moving in next door and therefore an opportunity to reach out. The old neighbors are moving due to a divorce and we were the last to know...Have been neighbors for 8 years and didnt even know they were having problems. OUCH!!
We are not alone. The Spirit is here now to guide us all.
Interesting how once in a while, God emphasizes something for us. My small group reading today was on James 1-2, which includes,
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
tba
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