Love In Action - Sunday Left Overs

"Whoever loves is born of God." These are the simple but profound words of the Apostle John, written in his first epistle. Conversely, in the same letter, John said, "Whoever does not love is dead.'' Words that are equally profound.

Sunday, we used I John to look again at the many-splendored subject - love. I think it's a safe guess that of the 300 or so sermons I have prepared and delivered at GP, the topic of love would head the list in terms of subject matter. Frankly, it doesn't take a lot of reflection for me to feel justified in that ratio, for Jesus Himself taught that love was the highest goal for humanity as well as the clearest definition of God.

The desire to BE loved is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, impulses experienced by human beings. To be desired, to be longed for, to be needed, to be respected; to be admired; these are certainly desirable states to find oneself in as well. But to be loved means another deeply cares for you. To be loved means you are seen as having great worth by someone else. Furthermore, that worth is not recognized by the other person for the purpose of their benefit. Instead, you are valued and cared for because of who you are, not because of what advantage you might bring.

Some relationships make us feel like little more than a commodity. Someone else is interested in us only to the extent that we have something they want or need. But before we go much farther down this line of thought, let's be careful to admit that this is not only something we have experienced from others but something we have done as well. For sure, we have been used, but, sadly, we have also used. I can't think of many things that are more demeaning or feel worse than being exploited for someone's gain and then tossed aside when they feel you have no more to offer them. Maybe the only thing that feels worse is when you know YOU have done this to someone. Interestingly, use is the root word of abuse, which simply means to use inappropriately.

To take any other approach than love to a human being, friend or foe, is to fall short of the mark God has called us to. We are called to see the great value of every person and to honor them with treatment that is in line with said value. I hope you see the plain truth of what I just described; this is simply a description of how God treats people, all people. As His devotees, we are called to follow Him on this path of love. Jesus said, "People will know that you are children of God when they see you loving your enemies."

As challenging as the way of love can be at times, there is a way even more difficult - to not love. I am convinced that two of the unhappiest groups of people in the world are haters and users. I am equally convinced that the happiest, most peaceful people I know are lovers, people who genuinely care for the well-being of others. Jesus affirmed this truth when he said, "If you try to save your life you will end up losing it, but if you will lose your life for My sake you will find it."

I challenge you this week to LOVE; to ask God to help you see people the way He does, to treat people in such a way that they sense their inherent belovedness. This week, spend less energy trying to be loved and more energy truly loving. The results may surprise you.

God's peace to you,

Stan