Just as athletes are recognized by their team insignia or badge, Christians are recognized by a God-given badge. At the close of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to His disciples, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). It is when we lack love for others that we are most unlike Jesus.
The Apostle John may have been thinking of these words when he wrote, “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of Satan are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother” (I John 3:10).
It is important that what Christians believe be based on the truth found in God’s Word, but believing correct doctrine is not the badge of a believer – as important as believing the right things happens to be. Nor is it to have a high level of involvement in the ministry opportunities of his or her church. Every pastor thanks God for faithful workers without whom the church could not function efficiently. Even so, the fact remains that the best way to recognize believers is by their words and deeds that demonstrate love.
The early Christians took these instructions of Jesus seriously. Tertullian, one of the early Church Fathers, said that pagans commented again and again, “See how these Christians love each other!” Far too often today it can be accurately said of some churches, “See how these Christians argue, disagree, and fight with one another!”
About 125 A.D., a Greek philosopher named Aristides penned the following tribute to the Christians he knew: “They love one another. The widow’s needs are not ignored, and they rescue the orphan from those who would do him violence. He who has gives to him who has not, ungrudgingly and without boasting. If they find poverty in their midst, and they do not have spare food, they fast two or three days in order that the needy might be supplied with necessities.”
Wow! No wonder the Christians of the earliest two or three centuries made such an impact on their world. No wonder Josephus, the Jewish historian, referred to first century Christians as “those who are turning the world upside down.”
Of course, such a glowing description of Christians has not always been earned. In far too many instances today, arguments are a frequent occurrence rather than a rare exception. Arguments produce plenty of heat, but not much light. And usually the weaker the argument is the stronger are the words.
Little more than lip service is far too often given by professing Christians to the importance of loving one another. True, there are some believers in every church who are easily loved, and to be in their company is a blessing. But we all know a few Christians who, like porcupines, have many fine points – however they are the kind of points that can be painful if you get too close to them. This reminds me of an anonymous author’s poem encouraging church members to be positive rather than negative, constructive rather than destructive:
“A good thing to remember
And a better thing to do,
Is to work with the construction gang
And not with the wrecking crew.”
I read recently the story of a much divided congregation that was frequently the scene of strained relations. Different opinions were often expressed in strong and unkind ways at business meetings where committee reports are regularly given and decisions are made. Also, the church had fired the last three pastors who tried to lead the congregation in a positive direction.
When their current pastor saw that the church was unwilling to change its pattern of fighting one another and firing preachers, he knew that his days were also numbered. He wanted to get out of town before a posse formed. So, he applied for and received an appointment to serve as chaplain at the nearby state prison. Elated to be rid of another pastor they had grown to dislike, the church was packed on the Sunday he preached his farewell sermon. He chose as his text, “I go to prepare a place for you . . . that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).
His choice of a text included a not-so-subtle message that unless the church changed its ways, he could possibly have the opportunity of preaching to some of them again – at the state prison!
The Paper Pulpit 
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