They will know we are Christians by our bumper stickers.


"They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love"
-By Our Love, For King and Country

I was halfway through singing along to this song on the radio when someone cut me off in traffic. Granted, I went out the day after Christmas, so that's on me. But still. I was appropriately peeved. The other driver pulled out in front of me suddenly and crossed into the lane next to me, almost causing me to rear end him.

"LEARN TO DRIVE!" I yelled, startling my little sister who hadn't seen what had just happened.

As soon as the words left my mouth it struck me that the last words out before then had been they will know we are Christians by our love.

Something doesn't compute.

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."  (Proverbs 15:1-4)

I've been really convicted lately about my words and today was no exception, although slightly more humorous than my usual quick-tempered spouting. The irony of it was striking to me. If I was really thinking about the words that came out of my mouth as I sung them, I would have restrained the next words I spoke.

If they will are to know we are Christians, it must be by our words. Our actions too of course, but they are linked.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

Our hearts create our words, and our words must tell of Christ. Words and actions are how we show love.

And they will know we are Christians by our love.


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