February 22, 2005
They'll
Know We Are Christians
By Our Love
Words and Music by Peter Scholtes, 1938-
Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, Where I am going, you cannot come, so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:33-35.
This hymn is over 30 years old, but it could have been written this morning. I love what it says: we'll be recognized as Christians -- true disciples of Jesus -- not by our rhetoric or our politics or even the soundness of our theology, but by our love.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveWe will work with each other, we will work side by side
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
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveBy our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveWe will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
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
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveBy our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveLove is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in usThis is my commandment that you love one another that your joy may be full