Everyone, from the appointed church leaders to the members, is supposed to play a role in loving and caring for one another. The way we connect and do life together is not transactional, but rather organic, relational, and transformational. In other words, church life is both messy and holy. Messy because people are not perfect. Holy because people are being perfected.

Some maybe drawn to a church because of its activities, but they do not know how to build meaningful friendships with other believers. Perhaps there are many reasons behind their behaviour, and the best approach to understand and help them is to create a culture of love, respect, and belonging around them. People grow at the speed of trust. It is only when they are touched by genuine and sincere love do they feel safe and vulnerable enough to open their hearts.

Toxic individualism contributes to isolation and disconnection. It has had a profound impact on mental health and well-being, as well as created additional barriers to relationship building and reconciliation. Jesus modelled for us the importance of love in community and journeying together.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

 

 

We are to love one another as Jesus has loved us and continues to love us. Our ability to love comes from Him, and our willingness to love comes from within us. With the power of the His Spirit working in and through us, we can love—and be loved—by one another.

The practice of loving one another is most powerful theological and missiological expression of our faith. People may not know what we truly believe, but they will see it in the way we love and care for those around us.