by Jerry Sheppard
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13: 35, ESV).
In part one, we dealt with the spiritual condition of a "Loveless Church". The blog entry primarily dealt with the complacent believer's relationship with God, whereas, this present blog entry will deal with the complacent believer's impact upon his/her fellow saints and especially the negative effect he/she has upon non-Christians.
The Complacent Believer's Impact Upon Fellow Saints and Unbelievers
The Scriptures says that "in the last days the love of many will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12). Sadly, this is happening in many local congregations today. Many of God's dear ones, along with many unbelievers, get the cold shoulder when they attend a local Church. Their Church Bulletin gives a hearty welcome, but the experience of many has been anything but welcoming. When the world looks at you as a Christian, do they see the love of Christ in you? In other words, as today's text puts it: are you known as a Christian by your love demonstrated to others?
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13: 35, ESV).
In part one, we dealt with the spiritual condition of a "Loveless Church". The blog entry primarily dealt with the complacent believer's relationship with God, whereas, this present blog entry will deal with the complacent believer's impact upon his/her fellow saints and especially the negative effect he/she has upon non-Christians.
The Complacent Believer's Impact Upon Fellow Saints and Unbelievers
The Scriptures says that "in the last days the love of many will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12). Sadly, this is happening in many local congregations today. Many of God's dear ones, along with many unbelievers, get the cold shoulder when they attend a local Church. Their Church Bulletin gives a hearty welcome, but the experience of many has been anything but welcoming. When the world looks at you as a Christian, do they see the love of Christ in you? In other words, as today's text puts it: are you known as a Christian by your love demonstrated to others?