Defining Jesus's Love

Throughout history we’ve seen people who identify as Christians rallying together around their common hate towards a specific group of people. We’ve seen Christians define “other” groups of people in order to create division. We’ve routinely seen an “us” versus “them” mentality with Christians versus non-Christians. Christians have identified more with what they don’t do, who they aren’t, what they disagree with, or what group they aren’t a part of. They’ve been known more for what they are against than what they are for. This isn’t all Christians, but historically, we can point to cases where this is clearly displayed.  It is in our fallen, sinful nature that causes us to default to this kind of behavior. Rather than identifying with Christ, who he is, and who he made us to be, our identity becomes more about the world around us. We may believe that rallying around common hate towards an opinion, ideology, people group, or belief would bring unity, but hate can never bring unity. Christ is the only one who can bring true unity. While the enemy would try everything in his power to divide us, Christ unites us under one identity in him. He gifted us this new identity through his death on the cross on behalf of our brokenness. Now, the only way to achieve the unity that he calls us to is to give that same kind of sacrificial love to others. The minute we look at other groups of people with disgust is the minute we have forgotten how Christ could have done the same with us. We cannot comprehend the measure in which we have been forgiven. When we do start to comprehend, we will love sacrificially and welcome all kinds of people into unity under Christ. Reflection/Discussion Question: What groups of people or beliefs do you tend to take on an “us” versus “them” mentality?

We often try to follow Christ on our own and in our own way. So many of us may be living this way without realizing it because it looks like we are doing all of the “right” things from the outside. But it’s the difference between faithfully attending church and committing to the mission and vision of your church. It’s the difference between doing what you want as a volunteer in a ministry and submitting to the leadership and direction of that ministry. It’s the difference between giving your time and money to a lot of good causes and giving your time and money to your church to be used to meet the needs of the city. Do you see the difference? So many Christians are faithfully giving their time, money, and resources away to a lot of good things, but it is actually disrupting the unity in the Body of Christ. When we are unwilling to give ourselves to the unity of the church, what we are revealing is a heart that still wants to be in charge. We may be giving ourselves to a lot of good things, but we have not submitted ourselves under the authority of Christ as the head of the Body. When we are in charge, we are choosing whom we serve, where, and when. We are choosing what we want over what God wants. But, instead of using what God has given us in isolation, Christ calls us to be a part of the body that brings our specific gifts to be used alongside other gifts to meet the needs of everyone around us. The church is God’s plan for spreading the Gospel and meeting the needs of his people. But so often, we give in order to feel good, to see the fruit, or to be recognized and praised. When we give to the church, we are letting go of the control of how much, where, when and to whom. Think about the needs we can meet if we all gave to the church and the church then met the needs of people through its connections to different people, ministries, and organizations. Reflection/Discussion Question: What might God be calling you to give to the church so that the church can meet the needs of more people?