what we should be known for

John 13

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment:

     Love each other.

Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.


35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are all my disciples.



In the '60's & early '70's there was a song that was wildly popular, - "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love" - the lyrics are below.


I would hardly think that people today would equate the word "Christian" in the same breath as the word "love"


In a day when so many have bought into the teachings of Ayne Rand & her socially acceptable selfishness, loving in not a world closely associate with Christians.

In a world where much effort is spent by Christians condemning, relegating others to the fires of hell, &/or putting forth an ideology that champions paternalism & denigrates women, love is not a word used to identify Christians.

And as more & more consternation & intolerance is expressed by some Christians toward those who are poor, sick, homeless, in jail, or whatever some vocal Christians deem as lower life forms, love is seen as in short supply with Christians by more & more of the rest of the world.

Jesus said these two verses to his disciples on the night before He died. I hardly think they were casual words.

Who speaks casually the night before they know they will die?

And Jesus unequivocally says that "your love will prove to the world that you are my disciples"

Iow, when the world thinks of people who follow Jesus, they are supposed to think "those people are SO loving & caring".


Hmmmmmm...


I think we've missed the mark...



"They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love" Peter Scholtes, copyright 1968

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.