What are you known for?  Intellect?  Wealth?  Power?  Titles?  Accomplishments?  Athletics?  Success?  Some will remember us for what we said or for the times when we were silent.  We might be remembered because of something we did or something we didn’t do.  Inventors are known for their creations.  Athletes are known for their spectacular play.  Musicians are known for their flawless performances.  Many in our culture are known for the mistakes they have made.  Few are known for the simple, quiet, and good things they do and say everyday because of whom they are inside.

Authentic followers of Jesus Christ are to be known by their love for Him and others.  In fact, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”  (1 John 4:8, NIV).  At a recent street fair, there were men and women who were standing on every street corner holding signs with scripture passages written all over them.  Their “street sermons” were filled with judgment; even direct mockery of specific spectators who were walking by.  In one sequence, I heard one of the self-proclaimed representatives of Jesus mention the opinion that over ninety percent of the thousands of people on the street that night would burn in the lake of fire called, “Hell.”  I observed that no one was attracted to the venomous message of condemnation being delivered.  Others were visibly getting angry by their words.  While I firmly believe there is need for strong teaching about the judgment or Christ, Hell, and eternal destiny, I was embarrassed for the cause of Jesus that night.  The truth of God should be spoken through the love of God.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”  (1 John 4:8, NIV)

Christians are to be known by their love.  So, how loving are you?  Start at home.  Love and kindness should be evident at work.  Grace needs to be readily shown to an errant clerk or coffee barista.  Even a clueless referee could use a little kindness once in awhile.  This love has to come from the inside.  It cannot be manufactured.  It does not turn on or off at the flick of a switch.  The love that Jesus commands is a love that He created and gives away.  It is strong, not weak.  As the scriptures say on many different occasions – God is love.  And, we cannot truly love others right until we love God much that His love oozes out of us naturally.  Whatever is on the inside eventually comes out on the outside.  Or, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (Matthew 12:35, NIV).

Someone around you needs the love of Christ today.  They need it from you.  It’s not someone else’s responsibility to show it.  Someone has shown you love and kindness before.  It’s your turn.  How does this play out in everyday life?  Maybe it’s a smile.  Maybe it is an encouraging word.  Maybe it is allowing someone to sit while you stand.  It might mean that you have to share some “truth in love” today for the good of the other person.  Self-sacrifice may be involved.  Don’t pretend.  Stop condemning.  Quit patronizing.  You’re making it too hard if you say others are simply “unlovable.”  Imagine what would happen if Jesus held that viewpoint………toward you.

Be known for something eternal today.  Love as Jesus loved.  Live as Jesus lived.

- Dr. Jim Dunn

Tags: article, discipleship, formation, Jim Dunn, love

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