Embody the distinguishing nature of love

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: Embody the distinguishing nature of love

When we demonstrate Christian love, it distinguishes believers from the rest of the world.

Jesus goes on to say, "By this [love] all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Notice Jesus did not say that people will know that you are my disciples if you promote my agenda, or wear Christian T-shirts or a WWJD bracelet, or have a fish decal on your car, but rather if you love one another.
A watching world will be persuaded not when our values are promoted but when they are incarnated, when we become purveyors of love. It is as though Jesus has given the entire world the right to judge whether or not one is His follower simply on the basis of their love for fellow human beings.

The vivacious virtue of love distinguishes the Christian.
From the very beginning, God's plan was to develop a people that reflected his character. And what is his character? Love. "God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; for we are as He is in this world" (1 John 4:16-17).

Believers are God's advertisement to a watching society as to how individuals could best live in that society. In fact, Christian love will always be the best apologetic that the church has.

When Ira Gillett, missionary to East Africa, returned home to report on his activities overseas, he related an interesting phenomenon. Repeatedly, Gillett had noticed how groups of Africans would walk past government hospitals and travel many extra miles to receive medical treatment at the missionary compound. He finally asked a particular group why they walked the extra distance when the same treatments were available at the government clinics. The reply: "The medicines may be the same but the hands are different...."hunm touching"
That's the virtue of love incarnated.

That kind of love makes a difference. Christ has no hands, but our hands; no feet, but our feet. We are his ambassadors, representing him to the world. And when we love as he as loved us, it will make the difference. People will notice. Christian love is indispensable.

I challenge you and me today to extend this love of Christ to everyone around us as we go out today, I love you.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LOVING FATHER, HELP US TO BE IN TRUE LOVE WITH ALL AND WIN OTHERS THROUGH OUR LOVE IN JESUS NAME. AMEN

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Good morning friends