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Pastor's Weekly LetterLoving One Another “By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love one for another.”
John 13:34
It is a cold, cruel world that we live in. Just open your newspaper or listen to the daily news. Killings, rapes, robberies, divorce, abuse, beatings, extortions, corruption, scandals, and every other crime are the common news of our day, even in our home town. But the world started out so well – beautiful, peaceful, lovely, the perfect paradise. Then Satan, self, sin, and death entered the world. Soon every sin and debauchery afflicted mankind and the world.
When the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth purposed to redeem the world through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of His Son, He began to undo the curse upon the world. He was making all things “new” or maybe better, “renewed.” This begins with giving new hearts to His children. The first fruit of this new heart is faith and repentance. But closely accompanying conversion is love toward God and man, especially for our brothers and sisters in faith. Jesus tells his Apostles, in the upper room on the night of His betrayal, that their love for one another will be THE sign of Christian discipleship. The world has a hard time seeing our love for God, but the love we have for one another is the unmistakable evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The same Spirit that renews our heart and mind also gives us love for God and one another.
What does such love look like at Second Presbyterian Church? What will be the irrefutable testimony to Greenville that we are Christ’s disciples?
May I suggest some evidences of Christ’s love among us?
1. No one is on the “outside”– we are an “inclusive” not a exclusive body – we purposefully look around for those who are not fully engrafted into our body life.
2. New members are enfolded – when our Lord brings new members, we go out of our way to welcome them and include them. This often is initiated by inviting the new members to your house for a meal or a get-together or including them in a ministry.
3. The old visited and included – we spend time with the “shut-ins” and write them notes or call them on the phone. We offer to pick them up for church or special events and have them over to our homes for meals.
4. The young are discipled and trained – the “older” members (20 years old and up!!) make opportunities for our young adults and pre-teens to be included in activities, ministries, and fellowship times.
5. Old friendships are deepened – we deepen our trust in one another through faithfulness, longsuffering, and consistent prayer.
6. New friendships are established – we reach outside our comfort zone to make new friends.
7. Extreme needs are met – we rise, by God’s grace, to meet the needs.
8. There are no “cliques” – though we have our friendships within the church, we constantly broaden our relationships.
9. Friendships are made that span the generations and social boundaries.
10. Bearing one another’s burdens– when one is weak or needy, others rally to help in physical, financial, spiritual, and emotional ways
11. Self-sacrificing love for one another is evident.
12. Enjoying and celebrating one another’s victories, accomplishments, and accolades .
13. We pray for each other’s opportunities and trials, and joys and sorrows.
In His Service,
Pastor Spears
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