By: Wendy Duckworth Vance
1 John 4:7-11 (ESV) does not mince words; it blatantly states that we, believers in Christ, are to love one another, and if one does not love their fellow believer, it does not matter what label one adopts, that individual does not know God. And why is that? The author makes the explanation simple - “God is love” and loved us so much that He sent Yeshua (Jesus) to die on the cross to atone (pay the penalty) for our sins. John then reasoned that since God is love and loves us so much, then we ought to love one another. Not only does he say that we ought to love one another, but he takes it a step further in 1 John 4:20, stating that if one says they love God but hates their brother, they are a liar. One cannot love God who is unseen if they cannot love the brother that is seen. Then, in 1 John 4:21, he states that loving one’s brother is not just an ought to but rather a commandment from God Himself. This commandment is specifically spoken by Yeshua in Matthew 22:37-40 when he states that we are to love our God with all our heart, soul, and mind and our neighbor as ourselves. His commandment goes beyond John’s words, which only say that one is to love their fellow believer. In Luke 10:25-37, Yeshua explains through the parable of the Good Samaritan, all of us are each other’s neighbor. He says that not only are these the greatest commandments but all of the law Law and the prophets are dependent on these commandments. In other words, one may outwardly do the commandments – abstaining from this sin or the other; however, without love, one cannot keep God’s commandments, at least not the heart and spirit of the commandments, because God wants our hearts. Do you not understand that the purpose of the cross goes beyond the remission of sin, beyond having fire insurance against punishment on the day of judgment? With the cross, God built a bridge over the gulf of sin that separates us from Him. He wants a relationship with us in which we so love Him that we want to be obedient to His commands, not just doing or not doing something as a surface or outward obedience to show the world our “holiness, but rather actually being holy inside, in our hearts.
So then the question is, what is this love God commands us to show? Is it an emotion or feeling? Is approving of or participating in everything the world does or says because the world says disapproval is hate? Is it protesting or banning everything that is outside the will of God for those who haven’t even accepted God as their Lord and Savior? Well, what does the Bible say? In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul says, “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” (ESV).
Well, based on this definition, love doesn’t seem like an emotion or feeling; it seems more like it is action as well as inaction. Love also does not seem to be a tool that we use to get our way with others or force them to live life as we would tell them to. It doesn’t seem to say that believers are to walk around boasting about how holy they are because they stand against certain sins or because “look how blessed I am because God has given me all this wealth or health.” It doesn’t say that we are to ignore the needs of the poor or shove people experiencing homelessness into a camp because, “they brought it on themselves by being lazy or ‘deranged’. Nor does it say to walk around angry and mean-looking all the time because we live in a fallen world where people do things not aligned with the Bible. It doesn’t seem to say that believers are to round up the sojourners (immigrants/foreigners) and throw them away like garbage, not even hearing their concerns or trying to provide protection for those fleeing persecution. It doesn’t seem to mean standing on the street corner (in real life or in the virtual world) screaming (typing or sharing memes) hurtful and derogatory words at people whose skin color, religion, body functionality, lifestyles, or choices are not in alignment with the Bible. It doesn’t seem to state that we ban or burn books. It doesn’t seem to state that we threaten or do harm to those who do not bend the knee and accept Christ as it seems that some with extreme viewpoints would espouse. But, to be crystal clear, it also does not state that believers are to participate (delight) in or promote activities that violate Scripture or that do not support Israel. Paul’s words illustrate that our behavior and how we treat others demonstrate our love or lack thereof. Absolutely, we can disapprove of something and acknowledge that a practice or behavior is a sin but it is the way we share that disapproval and the path that leads to eternal life that is at issue.
Think about it: has force ever really worked in the quest to add to the family of God? Did the Crusades or the Inquisition result in gathering more true believers or did they merely result in people professing belief to save themselves from more torture or death? If God wanted automatons that love Him because He told them to, He could snap His fingers and remove free will or could have created us without free will. But He didn’t create us without free will and has not removed free will from us. He wants us to love Him with sincerity and depth that can only be born from the choice to love Him. Force and requirements do not create love; they create obedience out of fear of harm. In 1 John 4:18, the writer tells us that there is no fear in love. So, if our approach is not to be by force (which Yeshua clearly states in Matthew 26:52 when he says that those who live in violence die by violence), how then are we to approach those outside the fold or even those in the fold who are living in disobedience? Kindness, patience, trust, honor, and perseverance that rejoices in loving others and meeting their needs before our own. This then would say to me that any person, group, or movement that espouses a program of forced belief, treats others in a demeaning way, that is self-seeking, full of hateful speech, is boastful should not be the model that believers should follow or emulate.This is not a left, right, red, or blue issue; this is me loving you enough to introduce you to the Christ who loved me in all my mess, sin, and unworthiness issue. The One who wanted me anyway, enough that He would die for me so I could choose to live for Him, loving the least of these, seeing the beauty within that eyes cannot see. In kindness, humility, and compassion, we bind their wounds inside and out, gently leading them to the shore of the sea of His love, offering the opportunity to drink the living water that bestows eternal life in the glory, light, and love of His presence.
Loving in the way I am proposing will allow you to be the change you want to see. I am not denying that there are many problems in this country that need to be addressed, some of which are controversial. What I am saying is that way we go about resolving these issues is born out of love. Today I would like to leave you, dear reader, with a few practical ideas to put love into action to work toward solutions together.
Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center that counsels women to not only choose life but also assist her after the birth to meet expenses and care for this new life. But said center should also counsel women who have had abortions to help deal with the emotional toll of her choice
Perhaps “adopt” a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Help her with practical things like diapers and formula. Maybe even babysit for her from time to time.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter. But not only volunteer -!talk to some the people, hear their stories. You never know what resources you may lead that person to that would change their whole life.
If your church or group of churches can afford to buy a house, buy a house. Then turn the house into a homeless program where services are provided to help transition to sustainable housing and permanent employment.
Work with your local school district to create a book rating system. Allow parents to complete a form and designate the rating level their child is allowed to check out.
These are but a few ideas, however, I believe that we sat together, talked with those across the aisle we would find common sense solutions that work for most.
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