Down and out meanness has no place in church

It’s late, dinner has been served, feet have been washed. One of the attendees has left the room, and only Jesus knows why. Now Jesus talks to the rest. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Now, many of us know where this takes place. It’s part of the Last Supper, and Jesus is about to be arrested for being the Son of God. It seems that our focus has always been on the commandment to love on another. Now this is not a bad commandment, and one in which we should hold onto. It ranks right up there with Love God and Love Neighbor.

But, how often do we pay attention to the statement afterwards. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Think about it, I mean really think about it. Is your love for other Christians such that people can tell you are a follower of God? That is what we are talking about here.

We are called to Make Disciples of the whole world, but do we exhibit the love that Jesus poured out for us. Do we emulate the love that Christ shared and taught? Do we treat each other with the respect and love that Christ calls us to?

If someone came to your house, to learn about Christianity, would they learn anything? Would they be so impressed by your love of God, Neighbor, and other Christians, (even those who are part of another church), that they would want to follow Christ?

This is why the last sentence here is so important. We are being called to live so that the world will know Christ. The church is called to show love and support for ALL believers, even those who go to different churches. If we can’t show love for those who may not agree on baptism, or the Lords’ Supper, how can we show love for those who don’t know?

Being a Christian is not about what you know, it’s about who you know and how you live. If we are saved by the blood of Christ, then we are to live accordingly. Not to earn a way in, but to lead others to Christ’s grace.

Church infighting, separation, and politics, undermine the message of love. If that is a problem in your church or Faith community, it needs to stop.

We are ambassadors for Christ. People see Christ in how we act and speak. Hatred, bigotry, snarkiness, gossip and just down and out meanness have no place in the church.

The trouble is, I am as guilty of this as anyone, and it is time to stop. We need to live so that others will want to be part of the body of Christ, not avoid it.

The test for you and I is this; If someone heard you talk about your church, would they want to be a part of it?

Something to think about.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.