"It is possible to be a Christian
without showing the mark, but if we
expect non-Christians to know that we
are Christians, we must show the mark."
Christians have not always presented an
inviting picture to the world. Too
often we have failed to show the beauty
of authentic Christian love. And the
world has disregarded Christianity as a
result.
In our era of global violence and
sectarian intolerance, the church needs
to hear anew the challenge of this
book. Decades ago Francis Schaeffer
exhorted, "Love--and the unity it
attests to--is the mark Christ gave
Christians to wear before the world.
Only with this mark may the world know
that Christians are indeed Christians
and that Jesus was sent by the Father."
More than ever, the church needs to
respond compassionately to a needy
world. More than ever, we need to show
the Mark.