Love One Another

It’s the ultimate indication of transformation in the life of a Christian.  Love.  It is one of the earliest character qualities the outside world decided to place on the church as Tertullian (around 197 AD) documented that pagans used that phrase as a description of the Christian community.  Christ said that others will know you are his disciples if you love one another (Jn. 13).  When I took this picture of this turkey I almost wondered why I was taking the time to try and gain steadiness, position and perspective on such an ugly creature? It’s almost as though you can appreciate the ugliness of this turkey.  But who does that? I don’t know.  It’s confusing.  But what I do know is that from a spiritual perspective  that bird is a lot better looking than I am.  Yup yup… beak included.  But that’s all of us, isn’t it? I think is was Swindoll that I once heard say, “The church is a lot like Noah’s ark. The stench on the inside would be unbearable if it wasn’t for the storm on the outside.”

    And so indeed it’s true that when the love of Christ dwells within us it can’t help but flow out from us.  It’s perhaps the most obvious indication that we have been transformed.  We find that how we see others and how we treat others is based on the truths of Scripture and the transformation of the Spirit.  We love.  This is Paul in 2Cor. 5:14 saying, “the love of Christ controls us…”  This week should be very easy for finding a specific or two for reflecting your faith.  We’re not talking about having a better feeling about someone or some ministry.  We are focusing on a specific action.  What will I do during the next 168 hours because of who I am in Christ?