I’m not sure why but so far in 2018 I’m on a bit of a Francis Schaeffer kick, and I’m not mad about it. I bought three of his books at the beginning of the year, and they haven’t disappointed. This little 60-page wonder was initially intended to be an appendix at the end of one of his larger works, but they realized then–as I realize now–why this was worthy to stand on it’s own. In this book, Schaeffer challenges Christians to heed Jesus’ words to let the world know us by our love. He humbly shows us the ways we fall short, pokes at sensitive areas that will challenge and convict any Christian, and above all he brings much glory to God while doing it. I highly recommend this book to anyone. If you’ve got an hour to spare–or even if you don’t, make one–this is well worth the time.
You can purchase the book here.
1. Page 18
Hence, the exclusiveness of the two humanities is undergirded by the unity of all men. And Christians are not to love their believing brother to the exclusion of their nonbelieving fellow men. That is ugly. We are to have the example of the good Samaritan consciously in mind at all times.
2. Page 22
The church is to be a loving church in a dying culture. How, then, is the dying culture going to consider us? Jesus says, “By this all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” In the midst of the world, in the midst of our present dying culture, Jesus is giving a right to the world. Upon his authority he gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are born-again Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians.
3. Page 29
Yet, without true Christians loving one another, Christ says the world cannot be expected to listen, even when we give proper answers.
4. Page 35
This is the whole point: The world is going to judge whether Jesus has been sent by the Father on the basis of something that is open to observation.
5. Page 42
We must all continually acknowledge that we do not practice the forgiving heart as we should. And yet the prayers “Forgive us our debts, our trespasses, as we forgive our debtors.” We are to have a forgiving spirit even before the other person expresses regret for his wrong.
6. Pages 42-43
True forgiveness is observable . . . And the world is called on to look upon us and see whether we have love across groups, love across party lines. Do they observe that we say, “I’m sorry,” and do they observe a forgiving heart? Let me repeat: our love will not be perfect, but it must be substantial enough for the world to be able to observe or it does not fit into the structure of the verses in John 13 and 17. And if the world does not observe this among sure Christians, the world has a right to make the two awful judgments which these verses indicate: That we are not Christians and that Christ was not sent by the Father.
7. Page 45
The world must observe that, when we must differ with each other as true Christians, we do it not because we love the smell of blood, the smell of the arena, the smell of the bullfight, but because we must for God’s sake. If there are tears when we speak, then something beautiful can be observed.
8. Page 58
I want to say that with all my heart that as we struggle with the proper preaching of the gospel in the midst of the twentieth century, the importance of observable love must come into our message. We must not forget the final apologetic. The world has a right to look upon us as we, as true Christians, come to practical differences, and it should be able to observe that we do love each other. Our love must have a form that the world may observe; it must be seeable.
The Drawing Board 