Love the World

 When you watch the news – would you say most of it is good news? Crime is up in our cities, international tensions continue to rise, and conflict on social media is out of control. I know Ray remembers the Beatle's song, "All you need is love". If it's so easy – if all we need is love, why aren't people just more loving?

Several reasons – not everyone feels like loving everyone else, and I don't think the world has a good handle on what that word 'love' actually means. I often find myself quoting Inigo Montoya from the movie 'Princess Bride' – "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

God is the Author of love, but the world keeps trying to tell us what love is and isn't. So in these interesting times, I think it's helpful to go back to scripture to remind us what God means when He tells us that we should…

I. Love each other

The apostle John, one of Jesus' closest followers, wrote this in 1 John 3:10-18 (NIV)...

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (11) This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (12) Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.
(13) Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. (14) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (15) Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. (16) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
(17) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (18) Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

The first thing that jumped out at me was John's willingness to characterize the difference between the 'children of God' and the 'children of the devil' – right before he tells us to love one another. So that tells me that simply recognizing the difference isn't hateful. You can discern good and evil and still be a loving person. Now, of course, I'm not an Apostle – I didn't spend three years learning directly from Jesus. So I should probably be a little careful who I call out as a 'child of the devil'. But the fact remains – acknowledging evil in this world is not automatically 'hate.'

And then, we are called to love our 'brothers'. And for the most part, it's somewhat easy to love many of our brothers and sisters in the Church body – somewhat easy. Many have similar values; we all at least agree that Jesus is Lord and that being a part of the Church is important. It may sometimes be difficult - but the command still stands.

- But what about others; those who see things differently than we do? - Those whom John openly called 'children of the devil'? Well, for context we also know Jesus' words that would have been very familiar to John, in Matthew 5:43-45a (NIV)...

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

And admittedly that's frequently easier said than done, but still a direct command. But you may have also noticed that John specified, the love he was talking about…

A. Love is action

Love, as Jesus speaks of it, is so much more than just a feeling, an emotion. Biblically speaking, love is tied to an action, or response. That's why it's hard. Let's look again at 1 John 3:18 (NIV)...

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

When John repeats Jesus' command to "love one another", he means more than just 'saying' the words "I love you." The strongest proof of love is action. How do we show love in action? It's putting another person's needs ahead of our own needs. I can point to hundreds of ways people in Deep River have shown me love by backing it up with actions – by putting my needs ahead of their own. I can't tell you how many times I've been speaking with someone lying in a hospital bed, who asks me – 'How's your family? I've been praying for you.' That's a humbling demonstration of love in action.

It may be easy to show love to those who show love to you, but what about those who aren't as lovable? I mean, John called them 'children of the devil', how are we still supposed to show love to them...? But the fact clearly remains…

B. Love is a command

Jesus said what John was pointing to in John 13:34-35 (NIV)...

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (35) By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Jesus commands us to love one another, as a demonstration that we are indeed His followers. It's not optional for the person who wants to follow Christ. You can't command an emotion; the way you feel towards a person will ebb and flow with circumstances. Jesus wants the way you treat people to stay consistently faithful, despite your feelings. He wants us to 'love one another' even when we don't feel like it.

I know there are some rather saintly people here who do a consistent job of showing love even when there are strong disagreements or hard feelings. But for the rest of us 'mere mortals' – that can be hard! I've repeated the quote, "Church is where I worship God with people I don't necessarily like." We're not going to like every single thing about each other – but we're still commanded to love one another!

How are we doing…? Am I consistent...? Do I need to change and take action and step up and show love to someone with whom I disagree...?

And, when done right, loving your brothers or sisters despite your feelings should strengthen that relationship. But what can you expect for your consistent act of love shown to enemies...? Remember what we just read at the beginning from I John, "Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." Yup…

II. A response of hate

It's very possible that you will be shown hate even if you consistently show the love of Jesus to people.

'That's not fair, people may hate me? If I show love to someone, they should show love in return.' Yes, they should, but it doesn't always work that way. But just because someone doesn't show love to me doesn't mean I'm not commanded to love them. I can only control my actions, not theirs. Why might the "world hate you"? Love is an action, but love is also speaking God's truth.

Sometimes, people just don't want to hear the truth. People don't like to hear that something they are doing is wrong, according to God's Word. However, just because people don't like being told, it doesn't make their actions or beliefs 'right'.

And this is not about judging or condemning – that's not our job - but about simply taking a stand for God's truth. For example – If I repeat Jesus' claim to be THE Son of God; THE way to Heaven. That's going to make some people mad. If I say that sex was created by God for the context of marriage alone and that marriage is between a man and a woman, if I say that human life is sacred, if I say that God created us male and female, if I speak Biblical truths - I will be told by many that I'm being a 'judgmental religious bigot'.

But that doesn't negate the command to love or the command to speak truth… And that's a fine line – to speak truth in love without being condemning. But I've seen many Christians live such lives of graciousness, even as they are accused of hate. Jesus encouraged His first disciples in John 15:18-21 (NIV)...

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (19) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (20) Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (21) They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me"

In today's world, if we follow Jesus Christ, we can expect to be treated the same way He was. If you agree that the Bible is true and that Jesus is THE Son of God and THE way to Heaven as Jesus Himself claimed, some in the world will hate you.

We haven't really experienced persecution like other believers. In some parts of the world, people are tortured and killed simply for following Jesus. In our nation, we've been protected from violence and threats - but I will continue to point out, that time is coming to an end.

Since the Supreme Court threw the decision about abortion back to the states - there have been well over 200 attacks on Catholic churches, and pro-life women's resource centers. Are you aware there is currently a lawsuit because our own FBI has placed 'undercover agents' in Catholic Churches to gather information about radical religious beliefs. So now Catholics are 'radical' for believing in the sanctity of human life? Guess I'm now a radical...

'Can't we just keep silent on some of these controversial issues? We don't want to be labeled as extremists. Aren't we supposed to be 'peacemakers'? Why stir up trouble?' - Because we are called to love one another and Christian love speaks the truth even when it hurts or makes us unpopular. Once again Jesus said…

Matthew 10:34-39 (NIV)

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (35) For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law (36) a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' (37) Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
(38) and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (39) Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Jesus said His words would be extremely divisive. And of course, because I'm not Jesus, I've got to be very careful in my application of those words. However - we are to love one another, but we cannot compromise the truth just to 'get along'. I'm not suggesting we go looking for a fight – and we are called to show love, even to our enemies - but we do need to stand in love.

And I would suggest, that the Biblical response to this hate, is to...

A. Love boldly

The Apostle Paul wrote this to Timothy in 2 Tim. 1:7-9a (NIV)...

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (8) So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (9) who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Paul contrasts timidity with power, love and self discipline - the opposite of timidity. But he also humbly points out - we are not called because of anything we have done - we're not better than anyone else - but because of God's grace! When we remember that, we can then love boldly.

If you're like me, you don't really like conflict; I don't enjoy having people mad at me. And if people ask you about your faith in God, do you ever want to downplay it just to keep the peace? When people ask you about God or the Bible or about Church - what do we say when asked…? How do we love boldly when people hate us...?

It's important that we learn to...

B. Surrender

'What...? Didn't you just say we shouldn't compromise, that we need to speak the truth boldly...? Now you're telling me to 'surrender' to those who hate me?' - No, not to those who hate you - to Jesus. The only way we will learn to love our enemies boldly is to surrender ourselves completely to Jesus. We have to learn to follow His example completely. Let's look back one more time to 1 John 3:15-16 (NIV)...

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. (16) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Jesus showed us what bold love looks like. Jesus gave His life to save us. We need to continually surrender to Him and lay down our lives for our brothers. Are we willing to give up the plans we have for our lives to speak the truth in love to those who hate us - even at the risk of losing everything?

Love demands that we share the message that Jesus Christ died on a cross for you and for me, and that HE is THE way to Heaven! We can say we love others, but if we fail to risk rejection by speaking the truth – there will be people who die without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and they will spend eternity separated from God. Sure, we can just try to get along, but that's not bold love. That's operating out of fear and people will be lost because of our reluctance to speak the truth.

So What?

We want to be known for what we are 'for' rather than what we are 'against' – but when we stand for truth, we don't always get to choose the labels people will place on us or how they will respond.

Love the world, even though they may hate you and even when you're afraid. The only way we can ever hope to love the world, endure the hate and preach the Gospel is by the power of God. It is His Spirit in us that will accomplish what He wants us to accomplish in this life.

You get to Heaven based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You either accept Him or reject Him. If you accept Him, you also accept what He says. Since he commands that we love one another, we need to start acting on that – today!

I read an interesting quote several years back, "Life in Christ comes to us on its way to someone else - congregations exist for those who are not yet a part of them. Life is meant to be given away not kept, God does not honor congregations that seek merely to raise money and survive."

We are called to love the world. But don't love as the world does - love them as Jesus does!