Slideshow image

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE, Peter Schulte, 1966

We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord, And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. We will work with each other, We will work side by side, And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride. We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand, And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land. All praise to the Father from whom all things come, And all praise to Christ Jesus his only son, And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one. And they'll know we are Christians by our love; Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Desert Cross is one church with two locations. We are one in the Spirit. Desert Cross called two pastors, a Senior and an Associate, that serve the one church at both locations. We are one in the Lord. Our mission is to love God and our neighbors as we work together to share God’s grace. All praise to the Spirit who makes us one.

John 13 shares Jesus’ words to the disciples just after he washed their feet showing them how to live out his command to love one another. We will work with each other. He showed them humble, servant love by caring for each other in community. We will work side by side. And yet, many may feel like this lone mitten that I found on a walk recently. We will walk hand in hand.

Jesus calls for unity and loving community among his disciples as they carry out a common mission for the greater good of all. We will walk with each other. It is up to us to open our hearts to each other and let God work through us. And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.

Are we living out Jesus’ command to love one another at Desert Cross? Beyond our walls? Do they know we are Christians by our love?

I call on each of us to reflect on the hymn by Peter Schulte, They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love, and to work hand in hand so we can answer my question boldly: Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.  

Additional scriptures related to this song for prayerful reflection: John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-12, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 2:1-15 

As you reflect and pray, listen to the Jars of Clay version.

By our Love, Pastor Andrea