Basic ChristianityJohn 13:34-35 (NIV)
We can add a lot of things to our salvation. A lot of churches and ministries have require a number of things to make your salvation "complete". This is one of the reasons we have cults. I hate to admit it, but cults aren't the only culprits. We can easily get involved in secondary issues.
We can get so wrapped up on the secondary that we neglect the most basic principles of our faith. Individuals, churches, and denominations can fall into this imbalance.
How is this expressed?
It is what C. S. Lewis called "Christianity And." Christianity and Prosperity, Christianity and Prophecy, Christianity and ???????
These things can be good causes, but NOT BASIC. A missionary to Africa had raise money for a new church and furnishings. All was completed before he went home on furlough. He went home to show his slides and report the goodness of God. Upon returning to this new church he found that the pews had been removed and the windows were missing as well. When he asked why, he was told that the windows blocked the air flow and made the building too warm. The pews were the white man's custom, not African. We know the windows and pews are not essential!
The BASIC CHRISTIANITY is our salvation. I began to think about this as I attended a funeral a few days ago. There were a number of speakers who talked about a lot of things that my friend was eulogized for. Finally some one said a key statement.
"She did a lot of things, but the bottom line was we felt her love." So what is the mark of the Christian?
IT IS NOT: Political, Social, Theological. It crosses doctrines & Denominations. The mark of a Christian according to Jesus is LOVE!!
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
This is what makes Christianity unique! Think about it! Jesus is our leader and example!! He love so much that He died for you and me. Can this be said about any other religion? There are those who will give their life for a friend or a cause they believe in. However, we read in Scripture that God loved us even while we hated Him.
Romans 5:8 (NIV) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Love is the basic tenet of the Christian faith. Jesus has told us emphatically that we are to love one another. How can we misinterpret this passage? What other application can we make of these words? How can we argue with LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
Denominations can differ in their opinions about: Baptism, Communion, Music, Eternal Security - Backsliding, Membership etc, etc. He told us, simply, to love one another.
Let me give you some thoughts about this love
1. LOVE IS NOT OPTIONAL - IT IS REQUIRED
Verse 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another.
If you are going to graduate from College or University, there are some required courses. You can't live the Christian life with out loving God and other people! Your knowledge and work are not nearly as important as your love.
1 Corinthians 13:1
As a Christian, you can't pick and chouse love, IT IS A PRIMARY ISSUE.
2. LOVE IS NOT AN ABSTRACT IDEA!
Verse 34 "As I have loved you, so you must love one another" Jesus
was not vague. You don't have to guess at how to do it. As we look at Jesus'
life we see a practical expression of that love.
Look with me at some of the Jesus did:
a. His love is sacrificial - Jesus willingly laid down His life. We must
be willing to do the same.
b. His love is merciful - He forgives our transgressions - large and small. He does not require that we are perfect.
c. His love in unconditional - Jesus did not put conditions on His love for you and me.
John 15:9 (NIV) "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love."
There is nothing we can do to change His love. We are commanded to love
in the same way.
d. His love is full of positive expectations for us.
Jesus wants the best for you and me. The only way we can expect God's best,
is to obey Jesus.
John 14:15 (NIV) "If you love me, you will obey what I command." Love is not the "ticket" to get in. It is to be a way of life. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that "Love never fails..."
Prophecies will cease, Tongues will be stilled, Knowledge will pass away. LOVE REMAINS FOREVER!!
3. LOVE SHOWS THE WORLD WHO WE ARE
Verse 35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Early Christians impacted their society simply because of the profound love for one another. Jesus said that this is how the world will recognize that we are His.
Don't mistake this love for some emotion. THE TRUTH IS, LOVE IS AN ACTION! It does us no good to "feel" loving. We need to express our love with actions! The only way the world will know the love of God as they see it through our actions
There is a saying: "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
Oscar Hamerstein:
A bell is not a bell till you ring it. A song is not a song until you sing
it. Love in your heart is not put there to stay. Love isn't love till you
give it away."
That is exactly what Jesus is telling us about love.
Jesus is challenging us to love one another with a love that is: REAL, TRUE, STRONG.
When the world sees this kind of love they won't be able to resist its source.
A new command I give you: Love one another.
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