Christian Community is Contagious

Authentic Jesus communities tend to be contagious communities.  This has been the case throughout church history.  In the 3rd century we know of an author named Celsus who despised Christians.  In writing about his disdain for Christianity (The True Word), he ironically provides us with insight on why Jesus communities were so contagious.  He complains that Christians were befriending neighbors and coworkers and sharing the message of Jesus.  In other words, ordinary Jesus followers were gaining the reputation of loving other ordinary people into the community that follows Jesus.  Tertullian--the famous Latin church father (ca.160-220CE)--once made the following apologetic statement in defense of Christianity: "See how they [Christians] love one another."  This statement, of course, echoes Jesus' own teaching: "A new command I give to you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (Jn. 13:34-35).  

What makes Christian communities contagious, then, is the love that unites them and the love that is extended to others through them.  Love is what makes Christian communities contagious.  Christian communities will be contagious to the degree that they are defined by love--for one another and others.  Jesus taught it, early Christians lived it, and so should we.  The opposite is also true.  Christian communities discredit the message of Jesus to the degree that they fail to live in love.  Failing to live in love destroys the credibility of contagious Christianity.  This is the truth that Tertullian's apologetic statement is based upon.  His "defense" is embedded with a challenge for us today.

Love is what makes Christian communities contagious.  But not just any kind of love.  Only the kind of love that finds it's definition in the person of Jesus--that is, self-sacrificial, self-giving, Calvary-like love.  When Christians replicate Calvary-like love, they will become instantly contagious.  I strongly encourage you, if you are not already part of a contagious Christian community, to create some relational space in your life to become part of one.  Become part of the contagious kingdom revolution!