Well, change one word and you have the right title. Yes They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love!
Maybe that is part of the problem! We aren't loving one another deeply enough, strongly enough, consistently enough, unconditionally enough . . .
David Naugle says of love:
It is the mark of the Christian.
If Christians sported a tattoo, then love would be it.
It is the distinguishing mark of our faith.
It is the final apologetic that is needed.
It is the validity of the Gospel.
Naugle used a long quote describing the early Christian church in the 2nd century. These words were not written by a Christian author, but by a secular authority about the Christians [The Apology of Aristides.]
They walk in all humility and kindness, and falsehood is not found among them, and they love one another. They despise not the widow and grieve not the orphan.
He that has distributes liberally to him who has not. If they see a stranger, they bring him under their roof and rejoice over him, as [if he] were their own brother, for they call themselves brethern, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit and in God; but when one of their poor passes away from the world, and any one of them see him, then he provides for his burial according to his ability, and if they hear that any of their number is imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs, and if it is possible that he may be delivered, they deliver him.
And if there is among them a man that is poor and needy, and they have not an abundance of necessaries, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with their necessary food.
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
