Here is a matter that I have been pondering lately: If one asked the "man on the street" what he believes being a Christian is all about, what sort of response would we expect? I suspect that for most who do not subscribe to the Christian religion, their perception would be that Christianity is all about living a good life, trying to do good and trying to not do evil. Even most Christians I have encountered would agree that Jesus calls us to live by a high moral standard, and that being a Christian is all about the attempt, however unsuccessful, of attaining that standard.

But is this the gospel that Jesus left us, that the world would know we are His disciples by how well we live up to His moral standard? Not according to the book of John, and the epistle of John. John quotes Jesus saying, "By this will all men know you are my disciples, that you LOVE one another". In his epistle, John writes, "Beloved, let us LOVE one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is LOVE". I Jn. 4:7-8.

So here we have a message that being a Christian is not so much about what we do, but how we love. If we are manifesting the disinterested Love John is writing about, it is because we know the God from Whom all that love flows, for "God is Love". If we are projecting a "self-righteousness" based on our ability to follow a high moral standard, then we don't know God. 

I am hoping one day to call into existence a Christian community here on Maui. I envision a place where all peoples of all faiths and beliefs can feel safe. No, not because we in any way suggest that Christianity is not exclusively true, for we would suggest that the evidence would point out that it is indeed that. However, we need not project this to the hurting world around us. If we know God, we know unconditional love. We do NOT need to wait until someone agrees with us before we will accept them! Knowing first that we are "accepted in the Beloved", we can naturally extend that grace to others, no matter what they believe. I eagerly await the formation of this community.