READ: 1 John 4:7-21
Did you ever notice that some Christians act decidedly un-Christian while trying to prove how godly they are?
One example is a man who angrily shuts his hymnbook and pouts through the rest of the service if the song leader does not sing every verse of a song.
Another example is the church where members argue against adding a new service geared toward youth, because they dislike the music.
Then there is the church in which the middle aisle is a demarcation line between two social classes of people who refuse to mix.
As Christians, we must stand for truth as spelled out in the Bible. Though truth was not violated in any of these situations, these professing followers of Christ acted in decidedly unloving ways. They chose to protect personal preferences rather than demonstrate the love of Jesus to a watching world.
As we read 1 John 4:7-21, we see that God’s love seeks to transform our behavior. In His love, we don’t react disdainfully toward others simply because we don’t agree.
Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Do others see the love of Jesus in you?
Give glory to my Lord alway,
And may no act of mine cause shame
Nor bring reproach upon His name. —Anon.
Bible in One Year: 1 John 1–5; Proverbs 19:16-29
