July 5, 2013
John 13:35 — By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
I love you! I’m assuming I’m writing for the family – fellow Christians. (If you’re not a Christian, I beg you find one, find out how to be a Christian, and become one. The rewards are greater than anything you could possibly lose).Yesterday might have seemed a bit of a depressing view on our citizenship. Today, I hope, is much more cheerful.
There is something unique, and amazing, about being a Christian. People recognize us by the way we love each other. How do you recognize people of other faiths? What’s the special characteristic that allows you to say “that must be a Hindu, or a Buddhist or a Moslem”? I can’t think of one. But Christians “have love one to another”.
“Hang on”, you might say, “I know Jesus said that’s how it should be, but I can’t see it. I see churches full of arguments, backbiting, and gossip”. Well I’m not going to argue with you. We’re a bunch of sinners, and church is a great place to learn how to deal with it. All I can say is that I know what I find. In no place, other than with Christians, have I found unmerited, unsolicited, unstinted love and kindness. I’ve had my share of disappointments, people who didn’t come through in a time of need, or people who reacted unkindly to things Myra and I have done. But I have been invited, encouraged, and applauded. I have been comforted, counseled and consoled. I know that in my Christian family, there are people who mourn when I mourn and rejoice when I rejoice …
You see, we have dual citizenship. Yes, we are citizens of earthly countries … but when we become Christians “we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phillipians 3:20) – “Conversation” – “Politeuma” in the Greek, is really “place of citizenship”. Our Christian family is a fellowship of the citizens of heaven! You can bet that love is the common currency!
People notice this stuff. I can’t count the number of times people have commented on the way Myra and I are with each other. But it’s not just couples… people notice that when times get hard, Christians band together to help one another, or even those who are not Christians yet.
Don’t you love being in this Christian family!