If God had His way, what would the church look like today? Would it look anything like Mark 16:20, “And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them.” Jesus told His followers to start doing things they never dreamt of, were not comfortable with, possibly didn’t feel like doing, but simply believed He would be alongside them the entire time.

He never instructed His followers to promise prosperity, copy the culture, analyze demographics, or offer free giveaways. In 1 John the apostle wrote to correct the twisted caricature of Christianity. He points out the sort of people we were supposed to be.

The epistle of 1 John is his effort to repair that which is broken. He declared that loving was an old commandment, but today this new commandment meant we’re to love as Jesus loves. Paul wrote, “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Rom 5:5).” God did not give us His Holy Spirit to better love ourselves, but to better love other people including the unlovable.

God’s agape love is sacrificial, and our flesh and old nature are the burnt offering. Christians have no free pass to slander on social media, think immoral thoughts, steal or gossip. The Holy Spirit has given us the power to love sacrificially and pray for enemies.

Satan doesn’t mind us going to Bible studies or memorizing Bible verses, as long as we never put it into practice. The first thing Jesus Christ preached was repentance. The first Spirit filled message from Peter was repentance. The young rich ruler sadly walked away from Jesus because he loved his money most of all, but Zacchaeus, being a rich tax collector, repented upon meeting Jesus Christ. Behavior matters.

Visible Christianity reflects Jesus Christ when His love is activated in our lives. Love activated is the distinguishing mark of a true church where true Christianity is visibly on display.

1 John 4:20
Pastor Huck