Love, Early Church Style

If we loved as Christ loved, and as the early Christians loved, would we divide into denominations?

"We who used to hate and destroy one another, and would not live with men of a different tribe because of their different manners, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies." Justin Martyr (c. 160)

Reading that, it struck me odd that for the last several centuries, we have divided into increasing numbers of denominations and subgroups - tribes, if you will. And, often, we have little to do with those of different tribes because of their different "manners." Rarely do we faithfully pray for one another, even within our own church, much less those from another church, and still much less those of other denominations.

If we loved as Christ loved, and as the early Christians loved, we would distinguish more clearly and more faithfully between a person and his or her actions.

"Loving one's enemies does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, or theft. Rather, it means loving the thief, the ungodly person, and the adulterer. Not as far as he sins (in respect of the actions by which he stains the name of man), but as he is a man and is the work of God." Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)

"What else is the preservation of humanity than to love a man because he is a man and the same as ourselves? . . . If it is contrary to nature to injure a man, it must be in accordance with nature to benefit a man. And he who does not do this deprives himself of the title of a man." Lactantius (c. 304-313)

Honestly, I believe that's where most Christians reside. The majority of Christians are loving, and do distinguish between the sinner and the sin. However, the action of a minority, albeit perhaps a large minority, come across as harsh, condescending, judgmental, and sometimes cruel or hateful. When that happens, people will respond in kind. And, their loud claims of hatred &/or phobic behavior resonates with those who desire to remain in darkness, and the world accepts the lie that all Christians are like that. In truth, it's an excuse by the sinner to further justify his/her behavior. However, it's a very convenient excuse handed to them by people who totally do not understand the level of love Christ expected from his disciples: "Love one another," "love your neighbor," and even "love your enemy." When Jesus said your righteousness should exceed that of the Pharisees, He didn't mean you should live by an even longer list of rules.

If we loved as Christ loved, and as the early Christians loved, we would be recognizable as true followers of Christ. Our lives would be evidence of the existence of God and the veracity of the Gospel.

"Our religion commands us to love even our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us. . . .  For everyone loves those who love them. It is unique to Christians to love those who hate them." Tertullian (c.212)

And, as Jesus Himself also taught: "By this all men will know you are my disciples, when you love one another."

Think about it. "All men" aren't there to see us "turn to the person next to you and tell them you love them." Such declarations during our church services at the urging of the clergy are not quite what the Lord meant by "love one another." Loving one another is as much what we do outside the four walls of our meeting places as is loving our neighbor and loving our enemies.