"Will they know we are Christians by our love?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CobNWUXb1M

How difficult is it for you to love your fellow Christians? Really, how difficult is it? I’m challenging you to dig deep in your heart for the truth. Not the Sunday school answer, but the God’s honest truth. Are you at odds with other believers? Has someone in the body of Christ hurt your feelings and you are hauling around a grudge the size of a elephant? Do you ever think to yourself that Christians act just as bad sometimes as nonbelievers? Have you considered the hurt and pain you caused Jesus, yet He forgave you and showers you with love everyday? In light of that, would you be willing to reconsider your feelings toward that brother or sister in Christ? Matthew 5:44-45a says this “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” Love those who persecute you? This is hard to swallow sometimes. Ouch! But people have no idea what people so-and-so did to me; Why in the world would I pray for such a person like that? Why would I forgive them after all that? I think back to the gospels where Christ consistently chose to dine and socialize with the sinners over the religious. He loves all of us; even those of us who are making choices that are not aligned with his “teachings.” He said in John 8:7 “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw stone at her.” Christ did not call us to cast stones at each other. Rather, he called us to be loving, merciful, and compassionate. If we want to be Christ to others and bring others to Christ, we need to be love to others. So, the next time you are about to voice your opinion, I urge you to first ask yourself this crucial question. “Will they know I am a Christian by my love?”

Written by: Carmella Lopez