(from the archives: SA Ukraine Newsletter)

Søren Kierkegaard's When we see someone holding an axe wrong and chopping in such a way that he hits everything but the block of firewood, we do not say, "What a wrong way for the woodcutter to go about it," but we say, "That man is not a woodcutter."

The application ?

When we see thousands and thousands and millions of Christians whose lives do not resemble in the remotest way what - and this is decisive - the New Testament calls a Christian. Is it not tampering with the meaning to talk as one does in no other situation and say: "what a mediocre way, what a thoroughly inexpressive way these Christians have." In any other situation would one not say, "These people are not Christians." Now be earnest about it and say: We are not Christians. If, on the other hand, we loved one another and used ordinary Biblical language we will witness a world-transformation."

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John Stott has said that; the greatest indictment that can be levied against a Christian (Salvationist) is that ‘you are no different from those in the world!’

If we were true to this commandment, to love one another, Christianity is validated. And our theology and apologetics confirmed. This does not suppose that the truthfulness of Christianity is dependent on our character, but rather that the truthfulness of our Christian confession is dependent on our character. If we don't love one another, it does not make Christianity any less true. It only makes our profession to be a true Christian less true. By the same token, if we do love one another, Christianity is no truer than before, however, our personal and corps witness rings of TRUE integrity (wholeness).
Christianity is based solely on the historic person and work of Jesus Christ and the depth of our understanding of His provision of salvation, and our devotion to His demands...

Captain Sven Ljungholm
Regional Commander
Ukraine/Moldova