Tough to follow

When we went to Israel we saw soldiers pretty much everywhere we went. The city of Jerusalem is divided between the Arabs and Jews and each has its own army. If you cross from one section to another, you can easily discern who controls that section of land by the soldiers who are always on patrol. We could take one look at them and immediately know which army they served.

Jesus taught that His army of followers should be recognizable by their love for Him and each other. As we streak towards celebrating His birth, we should pause to reflect if we are easily recognizable members of the Army of Christ Jesus. If someone were to observe you on the streets, at work, or in your home would you be recognized as belonging to Jesus Christ because of your love for Him and OTHERS?

I am leaving right after Christmas to speak at a large insurance company annual meeting. One of the topics that I intend to discuss during my talk is this very thing. I believe we should not be ashamed to let people know that we are followers of Jesus Christ. In my estimation we should be proud that we are Christians and even display the Ten Commandments on the walls of our businesses and homes, wear a cross on the lapel of our jacket, and even have Christian fish symbols on the trunk of our cars. We should proudly talk about Jesus at work, or in a restaurant or wherever we go. We should attend church, teach Sunday school, and even write a column like WFTD each day, but we should keep in mind that Jesus said that His followers are recognized by having love for one another too.

Our nation is as divided as I have seen it in my lifetime and I’m not the only one who thinks so either. I saw a poll over the weekend that indicates that 81% of the public thinks our nation is divided. People literally hate each other and it is toxic to watch the debate unfold. I have strong opinions on the direction that our leaders are taking this country and they are mainly negative towards what is happening on many different fronts.

I should keep in mind that I can hate the evil of abortion without hating those who advocate it. The same is true for those doctors who perform it in order to line their pockets with more money. I can hate the sin of homosexuality while praying for those mired in its depravity and darkness. I can despise the insane political deals that sell out the American people without hating the scumbags that make them. I can hate racism without hating the racists. I can hate Islamic fundamentalism which is trying to destroy our way of life and take away our freedom to worship the God whom we love, but not those who are its leaders and followers. I can love and not hate. I can do that.

Or can I?

Hmmmm. I must admit I would not be recognizable as a Christian while I watch the evening news and see all that is happening in the world today, nor would I be recognized as a Christian sometimes when I discuss it with others.

This “love your neighbor as yourself” and “turn the old cheek” commands are the most difficult to follow for most of us and yet Jesus said that loving each other as we love Him is second only to loving Him in importance to Him.

How can we do it? We can pray for God to strengthen us, because I’m convinced that few among us, (if any), can go that route alone. We must claim Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and pray that God will help us in this difficult area.

God’s laws are perfect and we are not. The Bible is similar to an owner’s manual in that if we follow it to the letter, our lives will run smoother and we will enjoy happiness, peace, and love. Hating one another is not recommended in our Bible owner’s manual because it yields unhappiness, strife, sorrow, sadness, and chaos in our lives

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, If you have love for one another.