|
Luke's reference to "the fellowship" implies that there was something distinctive in the gatherings of the early believers. One of those distinctives is found
in Acts 4:32: "All the believers were one in heart and mind." The whole congregation was united to one another in their allegiance to Jesus. The Holy Spirit was
holding together the church uniting them in their doctrinal beliefs, as well as in fellowship, giving, and worship (Acts 4:32).
Why is unity so important? Partially
because it demonstrates to the world that we are Christians. At the end of His ministry, in John 13 & 17, Jesus made clear that we were to bear some distinguishing
marks until His return. In the first passage Jesus says: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this
all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV) John 13:34-35.
The "all men" in this verse refers to the world. Jesus
gives us a command which includes the condition: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." An "if" is involved.
IF you obey, others will know you are a Christian. But since this is a command, it can also be violated. His command is that we demonstrate a special love to all true
Christians. Notice the quality of the love. We are to love all Christians as Jesus has loved us. The love He exhibited to us is to be our standard.
Now the
hard part. . .Jesus is giving a right to the world. He is giving the world the right to judge whether you and I are Christians, based on our observable love towards all
Christians. That's pretty frightening! Please understand, Jesus is not saying that our failure to love other believers proves that we are not Christians. Rather He is
saying, if you and I do not have the love we should have toward all other Christians, the world has the right to make the judgment that we are not Christians.
Why
are we not having a greater impact on those around us who don't know Christ? Why does our message of hope seem to lack power? Why don't others ask us more about
our faith? Could it be that we are failing to extend love, Jesus' love, to our fellow believers?
Continued tomorrow. . .
|
