What is our church and/or denomination known for? What makes it different from others?
Often whatever *it* is begins to blur into our identity. Doesn't have to, but it can and often does. Instead of it becoming something we simply value it becomes foundational to faith itself and a source of pride. Matter of judgement becoming matter of 'law' or faith. Even bolstering our very hope and security in our salvation.
For me,... it was having acapella worship in church. The power hold this distinctive had on our church tribe (I use 'tribe' since we considered ourselves non-denominational and lack another term) was hard to even describe. If we heard news of someone moving to another town the first question was: "What Church do they attend? Is it sound? (ie. one of us, on the list and approved). Do they use instrumental music?" That sort of thing. It was at least up there next to the Gospel message and sometimes even given more practical attention than Jesus himself.
Salvation became about Church and Church was about our distinctives....the most important one being not using instrumental music in worship. Jesus really did get lost in the mix or added as an appendage. This often happens with any distinctive that is given an inordinate amount of emphasis and attention.
Our distinctive, whatever it may be is often the first thing unbelievers will see when they see us. We must ask ourselves "Will our distinctive/s point to Jesus Himself or will it actually distract from the Gospel message?"
In looking to scripture there is only 1 distinctive that is supposed to be what others look to in our 'mark' as Christians. Only 1 item that points to our identity in Christ and flows from it: LOVE.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us." I John 3:23-24
In having a distinctive, there is urgency to make it count. Make it a powerful testimony to the saving grace of our Lord. Make it biblical. Make it the mark what distinguishes those who have been raised from death and given new life...giving Him all the glory. It's LOVE...overflowing from the redemptive work HE is doing within us. That is our distinctive. Let the world want to know who this Jesus is by the love they see in his people....
