I think one argument people have against Christians is that we’re not nice. While some are, it is an embarrassing amount of Christians that are not. Even Gandhi said,
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
That should make any Christian cringe. Granted, that isn’t the case for every Christian, but the fact that that is said about any person who says they follow Christ is pretty sad. And I know I have met some mean Christians. Worse, I’ve been a mean Christian. I’ve chalked things up as “that’s just my personality” as if being mean should be a personality type.
So all this begs the question: why does the group of people that has knowingly received the most love act so unloving? Jesus said this about love.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Love sets you apart. If you follow Jesus Christ, love is what is supposed to set you apart from the world. When people see something different in you, it’s supposed to be the love of Jesus Christ. It’s not a matter of how other people react or respond. It’s not a matter of what others do. It’s about who you serve and carrying out His truth.
Let’s not be mean Christians. Not when we carry the label of Christ-follower. Let’s love people with the heart of Jesus Christ.
Lead people to Jesus by loving them. Only God can change people, but he’s giving us all the ability to love people.