There’s a song that’s been around for decades titled, “They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love.” As with many other songs that we sing in church, some people believe that the lyrics were written by God himself.

The main problem with constructing theology from song lyrics is that when you’re finished cobbling your favorite choruses together, the result isn’t Christianity. The same thing happens when you yank scripture out of context; but at least the heresy has a smidgen of truth in it.

There are countless memes built around the idea that sinners will identify us as Christians if we simply love them. We don’t need to “debate” or “argue” or “preach” or “judge” (ESPECIALLY we don’t judge). These memes suggest that the power of our love is sufficient to draw sinners to the saving grace of Jesus. Of course, Jesus never actually suggested anything like that.

Jesus said things like, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” That would include “love” of any sort. You have to twist John 13:35 into a knot to make it say, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Look it up.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

– John 13:34

Jesus is telling the disciples to love one another. Their love for one another was the signal to “all men” that they were His disciples. Christ was not telling them to ignore everything he taught them about holiness, redemption, and grace — and just love everybody.

To the point, Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to go into the world and make friends. Ignorance of scripture leads people astray. Do you understand?

Your “love of people” is a pile of filthy rags. Your “compassion” and “justice” is manure. Your relentless love won’t bring a single soul into the kingdom of God. Please stop singing your own praises.