One of the greatest testimonies Christians can offer to an unbelieving world is our love for one another. Our Lord said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). This love is also a mark of genuine Christian faith: "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death" (1 John 3:14). How are we doing? Some churches, which may be rigidly right in their orthodoxy, are unpleasantly cold in their love for the brethren. Evangelical leaders are saying they have never seen so much division within the church in their lifetime.

With today's technology, this unloving behavior is seen far and wide as it spreads from person to person via social networks, blogs and email. It is disheartening to see Christians breaking fellowship with one another and dishonoring the name of Christ over issues not related to the purity of the Gospel.
As Christians united in the truth of the Gospel, we must recognize that no one is an infallible interpreter of God's Word and no one has perfect theology. Personally, I know parts of my theology may be amiss, but I don't know which parts. If I knew, I would correct them. This is why respectful discussions about theology can be helpful and why we should strive to be good Bereans (Acts 17:11). We may have different opinions on eschatology, spiritual gifts, ecclesiology, the mode of baptism, the sovereignty of God and man's free will, but we should not let these issues cause discord, strife or dissension within the Body of Christ. Too often we stubbornly cling to our traditions and self-serving agendas rather than pursue our Lord's purpose for the church He purchased with His precious blood. Those who obey the truth will purify their souls for a sincere love of the brethren and fervently love one another from the heart (1 Pet. 1:22).

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