Word of the Week: Witness

The church is the family that God built. That’s why Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:22 to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart." In true sermon fashion, I offered three reasons this love is important. However, there’s another reason it’s important for Christians to love each other. I didn’t mention it on Sunday since it’s not directly connected to 1 Peter 1:22-2:3, but it’s relevant for us to consider nonetheless.

The quality of our love for one another has an impact on our witness in the community. At some level, you already know this, don’t you? You’d be suspicious of a soccer coach who only plays football or a Ford dealer who only drives Chevys. Our neighbors are right to wonder, “If the love of God is so great, how bought in are you?” If we can’t forgive each other even for petty things, no one’s going to believe in a God who forgives all our sins. This means we must love one another well.

In the past, we may have thought that the best way to get people to come to church was to make it as interesting as possible. But that’s a losing battle. Have you seen how many streaming services are available these days? How many restaurants in Charlottesville have Sunday brunch specials? The battle for attention is an ever-escalating arms race.

But what if we don’t play that game at all? Instead of trying to be the most entertaining game in town, what if we can be the most meaningful? What if people could find the most meaningful love they’ve ever experienced among God’s people? Everyone wants a place to belong. Everyone wants to be loved – because that’s how we were made. Because the church is God’s family, it’s home to the most momentous love the world has ever known. It’s the love of God, secured for us on a cross. But if we don’t love each other well, it makes it hard to believe that’s true.

Loving one another earnestly from a pure heart isn’t just for our own good. It’s for the good of our neighbors and the world is watching.