Show Me Christ Today

There are identifying marks for faithful Christians.  Some these things are so prominant in nature that we could just about pick out individuals from a group who are Christians.  For example, Jesus said that the world would recognize his followers by the love they had for each other (Jn 13:35).  The deep compassion and devotion the family of God shares is truly one of its distinguishing characteristics.  Peter reminds us of how important our sincere love for each other is. "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart" (1 Pt. 1:22).  Paul likewise commended the saints for abounding in their love for each other (1 Th 1:3). 

Love is the focus of Christianity.  We recall that the greatest command of all is to "love God" with our entire being and to love our fellow man (Mt. 22:38,39).  It is that love that motivates us to serve God and our neighbors.  It is not long after we understand that God loves us and Jesus died for us that we begin to obey his commands.  We begin to seek out God's will for our lives.  Peter reminds us to grow in grace and knowlege (1 Pt. 3:18).  The more we come to know the Lord and Savior the more of his character and nature we display in our lives (2 Pt. 1:4). 

Christians will always "do good to all men" (Ga 6:10) and not weary in doing good (1 Th 3:13).  This mark of the Christian is different from the world and it's teachings.  So often we see the world putting their desires and wishes above everyone else.  Selfishness is a sinful stain in the hearts for the worldly.  Most all sin begins with selfishness or pride.  When we see people who put others first or service to others above their own wishes it is a mark of the Christ who taught us by his example.

Today would be a great day to show others you are a Christian by doing a loving deed for someone else.  Drop by a rest home and write letters for some lady who cannot do so anymore.  Take the fatherless to lunch or a ballgame.  Buy a meal for someone who is hungry.  Then when you're finished tell them why you did that.  Tell them it is because of the kindness that Jesus showed to all of us that you are passing it along today. 


Joseph D. Chase
Missionary to Jamaica