You (God) have not only commanded continence, that is, from what things we are to restrain our love, but also justice, that is, on what we are to bestow our love.
_Saint Augustine
Christians in the United States are best known for what they are against—abortion, gay marriage, other religions, etc. But how often are Christians described for what they are for? What has happened in the popular and political circles is that the Christian movement, the movement for the Kingdom of God has been hijacked. Jesus once said, “By this all people will know that you are my followers, that you love one another.” Therefore the litmus test for Christianity should be, above all else, how well one loves. Instead of love being the litmus test, its place has been taken by mental ascent to creeds, philosophies, political perspectives, and evangelistic vigor, all of which have been falsely done in the name of love but are often done in ignorance of love. As Rob Bell puts it “love with an agenda isn’t love.” And so let us be known for what we are for and let it be love. May we aggressively pursue peace, may we passionately declare the kingdom but never let us do any of this in ignorance of love.
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