We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love. —“We Are One in the Spirit” by Pete Scholtes
John’s first letter is loaded with encouragement to those in doubt. It’s an awesome message, really. (Not too long either; you can read it in a short sitting.) He writes so that we might be certain that we are born of God. He is offering assurance to those who are born again. That certainty, however, comes only through an honest introspection that reveals the inner presence of the Holy Spirit overflowing through us. Through Christ, are we living right? Defying sin? Overcoming the world? John gives one more “born again signpost” to ponder:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)
The old song says that the world will know we are Christians by our love. But do you know what? You will know you are a Christian by your love, too!
Agape God, I praise You for Your unconditional love, and I believe that You ARE love. I desire You, Lord. I ask that, in Christ, Your love would be in me and then flow through me. May Your love flowing through me be a “born again signpost” to the world and a supernatural confirmation to me that I am Your child. Amen.