I was surprised. Maybe more than surprised…slightly shocked, perhaps?
Someone actually apologized for hitting me with the volleyball during our game.
Wow.
To be honest, I’m used to arrogance, selfishness, and rudeness in my life. The problem is I don’t attend public school. I find these things at church.
We are arrogant, selfish, and rude at church.
I am arrogant, selfish, and rude at church.
Unfortunately, self-centeredness has become the norm. I expect other Christians to goof off, be disrespectful, and have selfish attitudes.
It’s like drinking a refreshing a glass of water (or sweet tea) when I don’t get ignored, excluded, and kicked in the face with a volleyball without an apology.
Sorry if I sound like I’m ranting (as is my custom). I may be too passionate about this issue, but it just feels like THE CHURCH IS NOT OBEYING THE BIBLE. Maybe I’m wrong, but that is kind of a big deal.
If we don’t obey the Bible and love other people, the world won’t be able to see a difference in us.
And neither will the church.
Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22 NASB)
Fervent love sounds extreme. It is a passionate, eager, enthusiastic love.
Are you up for the challenge?
Unfortunately, most Christians aren’t. Most Christians aren’t even up for the subpar kind of love.
Is love the rule—or the exception?
They (meaning non-Christians) will know we are Christians by our love.
Christians will know Christians by their love.
It’s so uplifting to see a Christian actually trying to follow Christ. Maybe it’s uplifting because I usually don’t…
Not only does a Christian’s kindness encourage unbelievers, but it also encourages believers.
We are called to more than a subpar love. We are called to a fervent love because that is the kind of love Jesus has for us.
But a subpar love is a start! You don’t have to feel wildly enthusiastic when you make the decision to love.
When you reach out to a lonely girl on the bus or mow your neighbor’s lawn while he’s sick or attend a basketball game for a younger kid at church to encourage him, you don’t have to want to do it. You just have to do it. If you wait until you feel ready and excited, you’ll never do anything (except try to please yourself).
Love is not always easy.
But we may be the only example of love someone will ever see. If we can’t even love other people in the church, then we surely can’t be an example of love to nonbelievers. (And that is a crucial job of believers, by the way.)
It will be a challenge, but try to make the effort to love someone this week. You never know who–whether a believer or nonbeliever–will be encouraged by your actions.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 