I have come to realize more so than ever, that the most critical and crucial characteristic that a disciple of Christ should emulate is the “love of Christ.” I believe that God, through the Apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 13, was trying to convey to the church and to individual Christians what the most important characteristic one should possess is, as well as showing it to those in the church and outside of the church as servants of God. In John 13:35, Jesus pointed out to his disciples that the way we love people in comparison to the world is what is suppose to set us apart from the world – “By [this] (how we treat one another), all will know that you are My disciples.” Jesus knew that if His disciples practiced the example of love that He showed them, that lives could be impacted for Him. The same holds true today, His disciples must show His love in their words and in their actions in order for the world to notice that we are different from them, that they can come to a safe refuge and not be judged or treated harshly, no matter who they are or what walk of life they come from. I believe that if a church makes the love of Christ the main characteristic of every program it has, and being sensitive to the idea that people come before programs, it can’t help but impact its community for Christ. Like the Apostle Paul said, “not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of what for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” God is not looking for perfect people, just perfect commitments. I am not a perfect pastor, but my commitment to loving God, you and others is.