How Can We Love in this Angry World?
As I ponder this month’s message, I am reflecting on February being Valentine's month, with all of the hearts and love sprinkled amongst a world of hate and anger. The scripture that most comes to mind as an answer is in 1 John 4:19. We love, because He first loved us. In order to understand what this means, it’s important to understand why we love and how we should love. However, we cannot have a conversation about love without first defining who we need to love. Thankfully Jesus gives us the answer: Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ – Matthew 22:37-39
In short, Jesus is saying love God and love people. So who are the people Jesus is speaking of? Everyone! Jesus puts no parameters on who we should love, just that we should love everyone. Yes, that includes “that” person, too. You know who I’m talking about….We’ll just call them that special person in your life.
Now that we know who we must love, the question remains: how are we supposed to love? Again, Jesus gives us the answer…as you love yourself. Think for a moment how you love yourself. By the way, I am not talking about some egotistical kind of love that has you staring in the mirror all day admiring how beautiful and wonderful you are. I am referring to the type of love that causes you to take care of yourself. To feed and clothe yourself. To take care of your responsibilities and your family. To make sure the basic and sometimes not-so-basic needs of life are met. This is how you love yourself, and this is how you should love everyone else.
Considering ways to love because he loved us, we can find His suggestions in 1 Corinthians 13, otherwise known as the love chapter. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Cor. 13:4-7
Following this instruction, here are a few ways to love because he first loved us: First, a true test of love is the amount of patience you may have (remember that person we mentioned earlier). Let me ask you, how many mistakes have you made in life? How many times have you told God this is the last time I will ever do that, and you did it again anyway? How many times have you been rebellious and decided to do your own thing? What was God’s response to you? Patience. It is amazing that amidst all the wrong steps we make in life, God never gives up on us. His love, commitment, and patience towards us is unwavering. We can do the same thing. Instead of chastising people when they make mistakes or being quick to write people off, think of the way God has dealt with you. Take the patience you have received and give it away.
Next, imagine if every Christian worldwide just exhibited a little more kindness. There is an expression that says people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Kindness is all about caring. We can define kindness as the gospel we preach (with our words) that is put into action. In fact, it is the kindness of God that is designed to draw us to him. Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? – Romans 2:4 (NLT) Kindness is a great way to love. Because he first loved us by pouring out his great kindness.
If you are really going to love people, the next few descriptions are critical. Love always seeks what is best for the other person with no agenda attached. There is no hidden motive, no self-seeking purpose. It’s simply about the well-being of that other person. If you are displaying real love towards a person, their needs are at the forefront. When you do this, it’s a wonderful way to love because he first loved us in this manner. Remember Jesus laid down his divinity and his life because he was thinking of you and not himself. When you love like this then it removes envy, boasting, pride, and disrespect because all these things point the spotlight on yourself and the moment you do that, love ceases to operate.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of love is forgiveness. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. – Isaiah 43:25 You have probably heard people say: I will forgive, but I will never forget. I want to ask you a question. If you say you forgive a person but you are always reminded of the amount of hurt and pain they caused you, have you truly forgiven that person? If every time you see or think of that person the emotion or pain of how they hurt you comes back, God still has some work to do in your heart. I don’t know if we have the ability to ever forget things people have done. What I am saying is that you can overcome the effects of what they have done. This type of love allows you to love a person without forever holding over their heads the wrongs they have committed against you. This is not easy. But it is freeing. And when you get there...you are really loving others the way God loves you.
I hope you see by now love is a great challenge, and it is a choice we make. If you’re really going to love the way he first loved us, you are going to need some help. Here’s the good news, you have the Holy Spirit. This means you don’t have to try to conjure up love in your own strength or ability. You simply have to allow the Spirit of God in you to flow out of you. Galatians reminds us that one of the fruit or characteristics of the Holy Spirit is Love. It makes sense because God Is Love. This means God has given you the capacity and the way to love just as he first loved us. He will do the work in you and through you; all you have to do is allow him to do it.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. – Ezekiel 36:26-27
God’s Blessings from Pastor Dennis and the Spring of Life Community Church Family Follow us online at www.springoflifecommunitychurch.com or on Facebook at “Spring of Life Community Church – Mayville, MI”