They’ll Know We’re Christians by Our ___
Our nation, practically since its founding, has seen its citizens battling over who is right on a wide range of issues—slavery, freedom of speech, abortion, civil rights, taxes, etc. This year, we see Congress battling over the debt of the nation. Most agree the debt is too high but vary widely on how to bring it down. And on the fringes of both camps, there has been a lot of slandering and hatred toward the other side via social media, podcasts, and television appearances.
Sadly, over much of country’s history, this taking of sides has spilled over into the Church. There were pro and anti-abolition churches; there were white and black churches. There were a variety of denominational churches. Today, these are often lumped into two general categories— “progressive” churches and “conservative/evangelical” churches. And neither side has a particular love for one another because each believe their views are biblical and, thus, right. A third group also has emerged more recently, which tie themselves to particular political views and political parties. They do not have much love for those with whom they disagree because they do not consider them to be true Christians.
If I were to step back and try to look objectively at the American church, I would think many had misread this statement of Jesus: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). I would think they thought he said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have the right beliefs and gather with likeminded believers.” That sure would be a lot easier! But that is not what he said. He said that we will be known by our love for one another. And I interpret that as believers of all stripes.
Let’s consider some of the men that Jesus selected to be his disciples. Matthew was a Jewish outcast because he worked willingly for the Romans, while Simon was a Zealot whose life purpose was to see that Israel overcame Roman oppression of its people and its land. Imagine what they initially thought of one another. James and John had little love for Samaritans. Imagine what their thinking when the woman at the well invited her Samaritan village out to hear Jesus. Consider Peter who was raised as an orthodox Jew, believing he should have nothing to do with Gentiles. How did he handle being summoned by Cornelius, the Roman centurion (Acts 10; Acts 11:1-18)?
There are many examples of believers from different ethnic groups, religious backgrounds, and political views who loved one another solely because they loved Jesus. Obviously, there were challenges in navigating their vast differences, but at the heart of their relationships was love. They weren’t perfect at it, as we will never be. But that is Jesus’ will for us—to love one another. As John says: “We love because he first loved us” (I John 4:19).
Imagine if Christians across the nation were more focused on loving each other rather than pointing out publicly why they disagree with others’ viewpoints. Imagine if your “progressive” church intentionally sought to serve your community with a “conservative” church. Imagine your church invited members of another church, whose views you found repugnant to your understanding of the Scriptures, to a fellowship meal.
We must understand that loving people doesn’t require us to compromise our beliefs. It merely requires us to treat others as we would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Doing so can radically change current relationships between believers, and that would be a powerful witness to the unbelievers around us. It would also be very pleasing to our Lord.
© Jim Musser 2023 All Scripture references are from the New International Version, 2011.
