Where's the love?

We are currently living in the valley of Salt Lake City, Utah. ("Behind the Zion Curtain.") And, of course, it is not predominantly made up of born again Christians. This is The LDS state ... the very Mecca of Mormonism. Those who are His, in this part of the world, are few in number.

This doesn't, however, make our circumstances any different than other believers throughout the world. The Lord Himself said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Numbers are few, in most cases, in comparison to the surrounding populations.

With that in mind, here's a question: Is everyone a Christian who makes a profession with the mouth? (Many in the states make that profession, even in this state.) Answer: No, by no means. The Lord knows those who are truly His: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) How then can we know if someone is a Christian? To make it more personal, how can we know individually that we are truly Christians? Of course, the answer is found in the word of God, the Bible. What does John, chapter 3, tell us? You must be born again. Every single person in the world, who is “born again,” is a Christian.

What is the outward evidence though? How is it that the born again believer stands out from the rest of the world? There is a difference, and it should be apparent. It’s a matter of whose will they are seeking to live after? According to one of the previous passages (Matthew 7:21), a Christian seeks to live out the will of his Father, which is in Heaven. Instead of seeking to fulfill his own desires, he is seeking to do what pleases the true and living God. So, what is God's will? What is the greatest command of all, which pleases God, promotes His character, and brings glory to His name? Love … toward God and others. (Read Mark 12:28-31.) It is all throughout His word!

So … where’s the love? It is found within the believer, where the Lord has made His dwelling place and throne. Where’s the love? It should be found in every single fellowship of believers. Church, it is all throughout is word, clear as ever: the Lord commanded us to love one another. And it is by this love that the world would know and understand that we are truly His. Where’s the love … ultimately? Of course, it’s found in Jesus Christ. Would to God that each of us, who have the Spirit of Christ, not live to answer the question on how to please our own selves. Instead, let each of us bring glory to Christ’s name by obeying His clear command given to us in John, chapter 13:34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” And born again Christian, this is not limited to people within your particular congregation. May we always seek to obey His command (He has given us the power, so we are without excuse) and love within and without any walls that we may seek to build.

His love is revealed to the world through us and even in spite of us. He has been doing it for thousands of years ... Glory to His name!

One Clay Soldier among many