Reading through first and second Thessalonians, I came to an interesting realization: Paul wrote these letters with so much joy and encouragement towards his brothers in Thessalonica, even while giving fervent warnings and reminders to live out Christianity. Paul’s apparent outward joy in seeing the process of the Thessalonians becoming stronger in their faith not only convicted me but also made me think about our current state of Christianity—how we use accountability and how we show love towards our fellow churches and Body.
Because I grew up outside of the church, my mindset around Christianity and the church remained rather neutral—I didn’t really care. I honestly thought it was cool for people to have a life guide (the Bible), and in my eyes, most Christians I knew were nice and welcoming. Since becoming a Christian three years ago, however, I noticed rather quickly how odd relationships between churches truly are. The only word I could use to describe it would be tense. Whether I saw other Christians in public from different denominations or various churches gathering together for a sports league, anywhere and everywhere, tension ensued.
Churches today seem to be eager to welcome the nonbelievers of the world. But in our eagerness to welcome them, we often forget how to attract them to Jesus in the first place.
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 HCSB
As Christians we tend to glance over this verse and think, “Oh yeah, I love people.” But I’m asking you to stop and think for a second. What if your performance on this command alone was the criterion you would be judged on when you die?
“For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.”
Galatians 5:14-15 HCSB
If that were the case, would it change the way you loved other Christians? Jesus said that through love, you fulfill everything it means to be a Christian! If the Church continues to bite and devour, we will consume each other. If we are busy consuming each other, what picture are we painting for the nonbelievers? After all, Jesus himself said our LOVE, not anything else, displays our true discipleship.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 HCSB
So are we really even believers then if we do not love?
How many of us are truly disciples of Christ Jesus?
Praise God that our discipleship—and our faith—isn’t found in our works, and our works don’t save us from God’s wrath. Instead, God sees and discerns the deepest parts of our hearts. Through His love and His Grace alone, we are saved. We are saved by our belief in Jesus Christ.
“In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace. Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.”
Romans 11:5-6 HCSB
Paul is one of the best examples of the radical grace of God: the man went from passionately persecuting Christians, to spreading the word of Christ far and wide, under any circumstances. Paul lived out His faith in a real way, and God saw his heart! Do you exhibit the same excitement in Christ that Paul displayed in these letters? The same love for other Christians?
I know I don’t. I’m in the same boat as most of you.
So why aren’t we? Why aren’t we excited about Jesus and rejoicing in who He is? Why aren’t we loving our brothers and sisters, whom God created? Why aren’t we showing the love of Christ to the world around us? How real is this to you? To me? Thank God for Jesus, amen.