today, they don’t see a group of disciples characterized by love for one another. Instead, they see (and hear) a group of people making a lot of noise about issues—abortion, homosexuality, and other social and political hot topics. It’s not that those things aren’t important—they are very important, and Christians are right to raise issues and take stands. But those things shouldn’t define the church. Human personalities shouldn’t define the church, either. Our Christianity should be defined by Christ—who loved us and gave His earthly life for us—living His everlasting life out through us.
