By This Everyone Will Know
by Ali Hearon Corona on October 26, 2017 in CLC
His name is Pedro — the man on the picture. I had the pleasure of meeting him outside an industrial refrigerator on a bright Tuesday morning in Cerdanyola, Spain. Carrying a bright smile, cheerful disposition, and a box full of lemons, he jokingly asked my teammate to take a picture of him because the lemons were massive that day — an uncanny size.
Pedro and his wife have faithfully attended Iglesia Evangelica Bautista of Cerdanyola for the past 36 years. The church leads a weekly food ministry that provides groceries for about 50 people in need. Pedro has volunteered since the doors opened 20 years ago.
“As a Christian, it is a way to be known — to be a light and a testimony here,” he said. “The neighbors know us through this social ministry. This is a great way for the church to be known through this area.”
Jesus’ words in John 13:34 come to mind when I think about Pedro and other volunteers who faithfully serve the people of Cerdanyola.
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 (NRSV).
By this everyone will know. By supplying groceries. By providing jobs. By looking a neighbor in the eyes and truly listening to thoughts and feelings. By giving of your resources, your time, your energy.
Jesus’ statement is powerful. As Christ followers, we are known by the way we love one another — inside and outside the church walls. In Micah 6:8, the Lord commands his people to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly” with God (NRSV).
The Texas Baptist Hunger Offering is a great way to sow into the lives of neighbors in Texas and around the world. The next 5th Sunday Hunger Offering is this Sunday, October 29. Join Texas Baptists across the state as we stand together to show the love of Christ and alleviate hunger.
Like Pedro, may we show kindness to others and be lights in our communities. By this everyone will know that we are Christ’s disciples.
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Texas Baptists is a movement of God’s people to share Christ and show love by strengthening churches and ministers, engaging culture and connecting the nations to Jesus.
The ministry of the convention is made possible by giving through the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program, Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions, Texas Baptists Worldwide and Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. Thank you for your faithful and generous support.
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