Five ways to obey Jesus new commandment to his disciples. John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” How does a church do that?
1. Romans 12:10: “Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Invite 7 churches to enter into a year long contest to see who can show the most honor to the other church’s ministry.
2. Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” Choose a church in another denomination and at the other end of the theological spectrum. Choose an act of kindness that you can do for them and do it.
3. Matthew 5:46: “If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Choose church in neighborhood with whom you have no relationship and send them a small contribution along with a note explaining that though you have not done anything together, you consider them brothers and sisters in Christ and are praying for their ministry.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:18: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” Invite a congregation that is different from yours–in theology, denomination, faith practices, etc.–to dinner in their honor.
5. Ephesians 4:29: “Let no evil talk come from your mouth, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that our words may give grace to those who hear.” Choose a congregation that has recently expressed dissent with the denomination. Come up with 5 positive statements about their ministry, compose a litany of thanks for them. Send them a copy and tell them that it will be used in public worship on a given Sunday.
If you try this, I believe you will have a profound spiritual experience. I’d love to hear about your experience.
