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Key Bible Verse: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth 1 John 3:18 NIV).Bonus Reading:1 John 3:16-20

In seminary I coordinated a new program to provide mentors for young law-breakers—many African-American and Hispanic. Adults could provide caring friendships and tell these youths about faith in Christ. The Denver court referred its juveniles to our openly Christian program. Ten seminary students began one-to-one mentoring relationships. Results were good, and the court referred more to us. The seminary president wrote letters to get local churches involved, and I spoke to hundreds of church folk. Perhaps made fearful by racial tensions, few responded.

Non-Christian university students begged to participate. The need was desperate, so we reluctantly accepted. Our program grew and became a national model. But I was deeply disappointed with Christians who talked love but declined to model it. I loved the Lord but grew angry at the church. Then, through the Word and prayer, Christ spoke to me. "Bob," he told me, "this is my bride. As broken as she is, I love her. I gave my life for her. Until you love her, I can't use you to help her become what I intend her to be."

I felt a dagger piercing my soul. "Lord, forgive me," I confessed. "I can't love the church unless you fill my heart with your love, but I'm willing."

—Bob Moffitt in If Jesus Were Mayor

My Response: Will I love the church despite its brokenness? How can I help in its healing?

Thought to Apply: Christianity demands a level of caring that transcends human inclinations.—Erwin Lutzer

Adapted from If Jesus Were Mayor (Monarch, 2006) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Help me, Lord, to model the gospel so caringly that people will demand an explanation.

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