The early Christian church grew partly because of the loving witness of Christians toward one another. Christians love was a major factor of appeal among the earliest converts to Christianity. The command to love is repeated frequently in the New Testament. Jesus gave his disciples a “new commandment“ to love one another and connected that commandment with the work of evangelizing others: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another“ (John 13: 34-35).

Over and over again in the New Testament, we read about forms of “one anothering“ among the early Christians: “love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor“ (Romans 12:10); “bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ“ (Galatians 6:2); “…bearing with one another in love“ (Ephesians 4:2); “let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another“ (Ephesians 4:25); “…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you“ (Ephesians 4:32); and, “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing“ (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

The way Christians love and treat one another forms a dramatic witness to the world. Love also forms congregations into communities of care and puts “one anothering“ into action. Love moves believers to change the lives of people through social ministries and advocacy efforts. Christian love binds ecumenical and global efforts to reach out to those who have been left hungry, homeless and hurting. Unless our evangelism is rooted in Christian love, we are “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal“ (1 Corinthians 13:1). Loving encouragement is a foundational faith practice for evangelism.


Adapted from “Toward a Vision for Evangelism,” by Marta Poling-Goldenne and Ted Schroeder

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