Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Simply Love One Another

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)

We were crammed into two rooms of the homeless shelter, over 40 of us, twin beds lined up each within a foot of one another.  We knew going in that the arrangement would be challenging for all, but what would make it the most interesting is that we would be sharing these rooms for a week with many non-Christians.

I have worked for many years on the college campus and know that Christians are viewed often as intolerant, as “haters,” as mindless, as idiotic, just to name a few of the caricatures created in the minds of those on campus.  I expected a somewhat chilly, uncomfortable response from the other students and their advisors and, with a few exceptions, that is what we got.  There was uncomfortable eye contact and few conversations that first night.  Given the stereotypes, I understood it.  

During our first de-brief time, I reminded our students that all we need to do is love on each other and love on them.  In other words, be true followers of Jesus.  

Often we take for granted the sheer power of the community of believers to proclaim the love of Jesus.  Many believe we need to make our communities more like those of the world in order to reach people who do not believe, to be hip and cool, to make the messages/sermons more appealing to the masses.  I think, rather, what the world needs to see and exposed to is brothers and sisters in Christ loving one another, meeting each other’s needs, and serving along side each other in the work of the Kingdom.  Many of us don’t realize just how powerful and moving this is to those on the outside looking in.  

What drew me to Jesus was not a market-tested church program or strategy.  Rather, it was the love of believers towards one another.  I had never seen or experienced anything like it.  I vividly remember praying, “Jesus, if this is what you are about, then I want you in my life.”  

Throughout the week, we did our thing.  We served with joy and enthusiasm, we sang praises together and with the residents, and we treated everyone, including our fellow university companions, with love and respect.  And it was noticed.  Slowly, conversations began, a couple of which revolved around spiritual things, and friendships budded.  One of our interns asked one group’s advisor if we could pray for her group as they left.  So, on Thursday morning, our group and theirs stood in a circle for prayer!  Afterward, hugs were exchanged, as well as Facebook info between the two groups of students.  And on Saturday morning, I wanted to pray for our hosts at City of Refuge before we departed and invited the other group to join us.  Most of them did, including their advisor who had made it clear all week that she was not “religious.”  

There were to my knowledge no conversions among the folks in the other two groups, but I firmly believe many seeds were planted and some watered.  I told our group on the last night that while we came to minister to the homeless, our greatest eternal impact may be on the college students that were serving along side us, simply because they saw how we loved the Lord and one another.

Today, realize the power there is when non-Christians see those of us who follow Jesus simply loving Him and loving one another.  From personal experience, there is no greater draw to Jesus than that.   

© Jim Musser 2015

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