This article speaks a lot about vcf and the upcoming world conference. :)
"Until the world sees the love of God modeled in Christian community, theyre
going to have trouble believing it can ever exist. When we truly care for one
another, we show the world a love so tangible and contagious that they cant
help but be attracted to it.
As the world watches, theyll see us
being of the same mind, maintaining
the same love, intent on one purpose; not merely looking out for our own
personal interests, but also for each others interests (Philippians 2:3-4).
The world is desperate for love and a sense of community, and were meant to be
the salt (Matthew 5:13) that increases their thirst for the living water. (John
4:10) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living
water will flow from within him. (John 7:38 NIV) "
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"PurposeDrivenLife.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: "PurposeDrivenLife.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: July 10, 2007 - The Whole World Is Watching - Daily Devotional
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:30:09 -0700
2007/07/10
The Whole World Is Watching
by Jon Walker
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my
disciples. (John 13:35 NLT)
We prove our faith in Christ, not by the rules we keep, but by the love we
give.
Notice Jesus didnt say, Love me, as proof of our discipleship. He said,
Love one another, and that will show the world you belong to me. One of the
best things we can do to reach our community for Christ is to love each other
that is, to love other believers.
Until the world sees the love of God modeled in Christian community, theyre
going to have trouble believing it can ever exist. When we truly care for one
another, we show the world a love so tangible and contagious that they cant
help but be attracted to it.
As the world watches, theyll see us
being of the same mind, maintaining
the same love, intent on one purpose; not merely looking out for our own
personal interests, but also for each others interests (Philippians 2:3-4).
The world is desperate for love and a sense of community, and were meant to be
the salt (Matthew 5:13) that increases their thirst for the living water. (John
4:10) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living
water will flow from within him. (John 7:38 NIV)
Our love for one another shows the world our unity with the Father and also
shows them that community requires unity, a oneness about the purposes of life.
Jesus said, I want all [my disciples] to be one with each other, just as I am
one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then
the people of this world will believe that you sent me. (John 17:21 CEV)
This means the influence of our congregations is not about attendance, or
buildings, or programs. Our influence within the greater community is based
upon our love for one another.
Isnt it alarming, then, to think that were often known for what we are
against, rather than what were for and we are for the Good News of a love so
wide and long and high and deep that it encompasses more than any of us could
ever imagine. (Ephesians 3:18 NIV)
Our community of unity should reflect the faith we have in the love of Jesus
Christ. Our congregations are meant to be points of love and light in the
darkness of our communities. Were to let our light shine so that others will
see the good and praise our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
People are less impressed with our words than they are with our actions of
love for one another. Your love for other believers speaks about Gods love.
How loud is your voice?
So what?
· You witness to others when you love believers Jesus gave the world the
right to judge the authenticity of our faith by how much we love one another
that is, how we love other Christians. Yet some of the greatest conflicts we
will experience are with other believers. Ask God what fences you need to mend.
The whole world is watching how we love one another.
· What are you saying about God? We make a statement about God by the way
we love one another. It may be a positive statement or it may be a negative
one, but the fact is people often form their opinions of God by how they see us
individually. Theres truth in the old saying, You may be the only picture of
Jesus people will ever see. People also may base their opinion of God on the
reputation of our congregations how we get along, how we support each other,
how we criticize others.
· Is your love tangible? Our love for one another offers a tangible, and
contagious, reflection of Gods love, allowing the world to witness the power
of transformed lives. How loud do your actions speak about the love of God? How
loud is the voice of your small group?
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Jon Walker is a pastor-advocate living in Southern California and the former
pastor of communications at Saddleback Church.
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