Known by our love

“by this everyone will know that you are my disciples . . . “ John 13:35a

What are Christians known for by today’s society?  By what they are against? For hypocrisy and dogmatism? Nice but a bit misguided? Not tolerant enough? A bit out of date and out of touch?

This is how we should stand out:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:35

Our love should be the defining characteristic that marks our lives. People today often say that faith is a personal thing. They keep it is so private that no one knows what they believe.

Heidi Baker puts it this way: “Love looks like something”. If you love someone, it is expressed in outward ways that cannot be hidden.  If I said I loved you but there was no evidence of it, you would question the reality of the love.  If I didn’t talk with you, want to spend time with you or help you where I could, you would wonder how ‘real’ this love was.

It is the same with our love for the Lord. Christians today have got such a firm grasp on grace which is great: I don’t have to do anything in order to earn God’s love. This is true. But if my love for him does not make a difference to the way I live my life, I question how theoretical this love is.   Love cannot be contained as an emotion, ideal or inner conviction.  Love expresses itself in sacrifice, service and action.

In Matthew 25: 31 – 46 Jesus explains that those who inherit eternal life are those who fed the hungry, cared for the poor and visited the sick. While their salvation was not earned by these things, their love was expressed  and evidenced by these things.

I believe on the last day when the true church is revealed that there will be a distinctive mark of love in the lives of those who truly loved God.

Preaching to myself - "hope in God!"

I read Psalms 42 and 43 this morning. One verse is repeated three times.  It jumped out at me the first time.  By the third time I was getting the message!

'Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God'  Psalm 42 v 5 and 11 and Psalm 43 v 5

I really identify with the first two lines of this verse. As I've battled with depression over the past year, one of my struggles has been with feeling I shouldn't be feeling low because I don't really have anything properly difficult or tough in my life.  But if I stop here, beating myself up for feeling down, I just end up feeling more rubbish about myself.

What is the way out of this pit?  Looking up. Looking at my God, my Saviour, my Rescuer. It doesn't matter how feeble or pathetic I am. What matters is how great, mighty, loving and powerful He is.  When I focus on how incredible He is, my soul is lifted. I begin to praise Him and I find in Him the hope and strength I need for this moment.

What is the significance of this verse coming three times?  Because we need to keep preaching to ourselves. Keep reminding ourselves to hope in God!  Many times a day, we need to tell ourselves "Hope in God!" He is the mighty God. My salvation comes from him. It does not depend on my goodness or effort but on His great faithfulness and love.  Hallelujah!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.  Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth" Psalm 121 v 1, 2