We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
----- 1 John 4:19 - 21
We are such feeble creatures. We cannot see God; therefore we don't believe. Jesus came to reveal God to us. He put on the garments of flesh and walked about in a human body. We could see Him, hear Him, touch Him, smell Him. He therefore existed...and then He was gone. But after leaving, He gifted those who believe with His Spirit. The Spirit of God lives within each one of us to guide us and teach us and keep us in relationship with God. The Holy Spirit is with us so that Jesus shines from us, so that those who don't believe can see Jesus...and believe. We can reveal God to non-believers by loving them, because God IS love. When someone is shown love, they are shown God.
But this passage takes it a bit further and reminds me that it's all or nothing when we love God. It's impossible to love God and hate a brother...or a neighbor...or our president...or the dissenting pastor...or even a bitter enemy. If we say we love God, we are the vehicles He will use to love others. We cannot love God if we put up a block to the love that He is desperate to extend to those who cannot see Him.
Love for God is proven in our obedience. And the single command that demands obedience is loving one another. And so my question this morning is, against whom do I harbor hateful feelings that keep me from loving God? Ouch!
There are so many people with whom I disagree...do I hate them? I sense very negative feelings when I think of them...do those feelings come close to hate? If I'm honest with myself I have to admit that yes, they do. So when I say I love God, but negativity raises so easily...I need help to love those with whom I disagree despite their opinions.
There are people who criticize me, who come against me or are uncommitted to my leadership. This brings on the negative feelings. I want to fight back with criticism and disagreement of my own. So when I say I love God, but strive to be contentious just to spite, to get back...I need help to love despite my annoyances.
There are people who have hurt me, who have never apologized, who blame me for the pain. Again negative feelings arise when I think of them. Do these negative feelings lead to hate? In some cases the people are family...I cannot say I hate them. But I do dislike them. So when I say I love God and even dislike people, am I a liar? The Spirit is nudging me to say, yes I am. I need help to love despite the pain of the past and present.
I do love you, God. Yet I see how I contradict myself when I say I love, and harbor bitterness and anger against others. I am so weak in this area, Father, but my love for you is strong. I believe then that you will help me love others. I believe you have given me your Spirit so that I can overcome these feelings and be your representative in this world. I can be one who reveals you because I love. Help me, Father, to love despite disagreement, despite contrariness, despite wounds and pain.
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