Be the Church Every Day, Live Out Love at Home

John 13:35 shows that the disciples of Jesus would be known by their love. These words first reach the relationships where appearances fade and weariness becomes easier to see.

At home, we know one another’s weaknesses. A harsh response can hurt more deeply than we realize. Pride can turn a small conflict into lasting distance. We may also demand patience while offering very little care.

Being the church every day begins when we allow Christ to deal with the way we live together. Colossians 3:12-14 calls us to treat others with mercy and humility, with love holding everything together. This truth reaches interrupted conversations and the need to ask for forgiveness. It also appears in the way we care for someone going through a difficult day.

Your home may carry old tension. The love of Christ faces what happened and teaches us to deal with the truth without feeding contempt. At times, we will need to listen before responding. There will also be moments when we need to admit our own fault.

The people who live with us can tell when faith has become an outward appearance. They can also see when Jesus is changing the way we treat others. Ask the Lord to make your home the first place where His love becomes visible.

35 ‹By this shall all› [men] ‹know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.›

12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.