They will know we are Christians by our love
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. (Colossians 1:10)
If you were to be tried as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? This question has haunted me most of my life. While it’s true that good works do not save us, there should be a notable difference between the way Christians and non-Christians live their respective lives.
Primarily, love should guide everything that we do as believers: how we talk, act, and think. Love motivates us to be kind to one another. It helps govern our words and actions in a distinct way that separates us from non-believers.
But what do we do with our love? Do we keep it to ourselves, or only love those who can love us in return? Perish the thought. The way we show love to others provides evidence that our lives have been touched by a heavenly Father who first loved us. When Christ resides in our hearts, His love prompts us to demonstrate that love to others.
When I left my second abusive husband, I was a woman on a mission with three immediate goals in mind:
- Completing my degree;
- Changing my name; and
- Going on a mission trip.
I desperately wanted to do something with my life – something impactful and demonstrative to make up for lost time. While I completed these goals in the reverse order, I took steps to fulfill each of them almost immediately. The satisfaction I felt in achieving these accomplishments is hard to quantify – yet I knew I had so much more to do, so many more goals to fulfill.
I recently met another goal – face-on – serving as a Salvation Army bell-ringer at Christmas-time. Yesterday, I completed my first shift. I dressed warmly, in a festive new dress with Santa-heads on the skirt, a pretty black crinoline underneath, and black leggings. With Christmas music playing on my Pandora app, I connected my power bank to my phone and a BlueTooth speaker – ready for action.
When I arrived, I learned that the kettle, bell, and apron had not yet been dropped off at the location. While waiting for my kettle, an older man approached me, wanting to donate. “I don’t have my kettle yet,” I informed him, with a laugh.
“That’s okay,” he said, as he opened his wallet and gave me a dollar. I asked him if I could take our picture to commemorate the first dollar received, and he agreed. “I’m Carlton,” he told me, and the two of us chatted together for the next 35 minutes while waiting for the kettle to arrive.
We talked about how blessed we both were, and how we both believed God treated us better than we deserved. Had my kettle been ready, I would not have had the opportunity to talk to this amazing man who brightened my day. Incredible how perfect God’s timing is when we least expect it.
A few minutes after Carlton left, my kettle arrived, and I took another photo to send to the organizer. Carlton drove by, honked his horn, and waved as I put my kettle in place and added his contribution to the container.
For the next two and a half hours, I danced to music, rang my bell, and wished everyone passing by a “Merry Christmas.” I hugged all the children, with their penny donations, and the elderly contributors who told me how much they loved my skirt. I thanked everyone who donated with a “God bless you,” and another “Merry Christmas.” By the time my shift was over, my kettle and heart were overflowing, in equal measure.
Isn’t that how God’s love is? The more we give, the more we get in return.
Ring a bell. Stand up for the weak and defenseless. Donate food to the hungry. Help serve a meal or paint a shelter. Give a hug to someone who is hurting. Listen when people are talking to you. Share the love of Christ from the core of your being down to your fingertips. Be His hands and feet.
Matthew West’s song, “Do Something” perfectly embodies this sentiment:
I’m so tired of talking about
How we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame. I want a fire and
I wanna be the one who stands up and says
“I’m gonna do something.” (1)
We all have the power to make a difference by demonstrating simple acts of love to the hurting world around us. The evidence of our Christianity is inside each of us, just waiting to come out. After all, they will know we are Christians by our love!
Reference:
West, M. (2012). Do Something. [Recorded by Matthew West]. On Into the Light. [Music album]. Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.