".. the people of God, both individual and corporately, should be defined by their love for one another."

PAST MESSAGES:

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE

DOING A NEW THING

TOGETHER WE STAND

BELIEVERS ARE TO LIVE IN LOVE

FAITH THAT'S ALIVE

GOD'S WORD

BELIEF IS NOT ENOUGH

HOW I VIEW MY CHURCH

PSALM 92:1-4

FOUR GREAT VISIONS

COMPLETE SURRENDER

"DEFINED BY LOVE"

In this postmodern society, the church has been identified and or defined in numerous ways. Some have identified it as a bastion within which to find rest for a weary soul. For others, it is defined as a stop-gate of social injustice. While these only represent an infinitesimal amount of the various ways by which the church is defined, there is one that stands above all others as the definitive marker for Christocentric identity.

In no uncertain terms, the people of God, both individual and corporately, should be defined by their love for one another. Jesus provides great clarity regarding this truism in the thirteenth chapter of St. John. In this passage of scripture, he told his disciples, "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). These words that were uttered by the Divine are still ringing with profound resonance within the realm of authentic Christendom. One has only to both hear and heed these words of Christ in order to know the extent to which love was and remains to be His primary ecclesiological expectation.

That being said, this is a wonderful way for the world to know who we are as men and women of God. Indeed, it is noteworthy for one to have educational accomplishments, occupational achievements, or financial investments. However, when it comes to being a child of God, above our being known for our educational accomplishments, occupational achievements, or financial investments, Christ would have us to be known most of all by our love for one another.

The same holds to be true for us as a Church Family. As a body of Christ, we are to be defined by our love. The love that we have for one another should be evident in all that we say and do. It should be apparent in our preaching, in our teaching, in our worshipping, in our praising and in our ministering. Our love for one another as a Church Family should be the attribute that distinguishes us and sets us apart within the sphere of human activity.

We can have love one for another because this is the way Christ loved us (John 13: 34). John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That being said, beloved, inasmuch as Christ loved us and we have love one for another, I encourage you to let the loving continue (Hebrews 13:1).

Lovingly yours,
Pastor H.B. Sampson III, D.Min.