The New Commandment

Jesus, facing his impending trial and death, shares with his disciples what is most important for them to know and do. They are to follow his example. Just as he has loved them, so they are to love one another. It is this love for one another that will identify them as his followers. (John 13:34-35) I have just been given a booklet, written by a friend, with the title "Is the Local Church Irrelevant?" The answer that the writer gives is mostly "Yes." I understand, and sometimes agree with, what my friend has written. A local church that does not assist its people in living out a Christian life in the world is missing one of its key ingredients. But fortunately or unfortunately, the local church is always relevant to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If Jesus says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another," (John 13:35) then how Christians relate to each other is extremely relevant. The local church is almost always the place where this happens. It is to be the shop front for the Kingdom of God. Our task is to see that it is a faithful representation of this Kingdom. In his first letter, the apostle John writes, " Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth ..."  (1 Jn 3:18–19). Blessings, Max