Today we look at the most critical component of our faith - what matters most. One word sums up everything we should strive for: love.
Jesus said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (Jn 13:35 NLT). The greatest commandment as well as the runner up are both focused on love. And, if you really boil it down, the Golden Rule could be answered with "love" on every occasion.
Why did Jesus even come to the world? For God so LOVED the world...
How do you define the word love?
The Apostle Paul gives great insight for us regarding love in one of his letters to the church at Corinth. The church was struggling with a wide range of issues, including pride and one-up-manship. The community was weak - they needed to be reminded that God wants everybody on board, and that everybody has a critical role to play that is connected in some way to everyone else's ability to serve and experience what God has for them.
After Paul gives them a brilliant illustration how we all fit together as one body, he spends an entire chapter covering what they really need to hear. In short, if we lack love, we lack everything.
Take a minute and read 1 Corinthians 13.
In this chapter, Paul makes five radical statements about love....
If I don't live a life of love, nothing I say will matter. Ever have some know-it-all try to give you some advice? How excited were you to accept it? Probably not too thrilled, because these types of folk generally are more interested in hearing themselves pontificate more than your well-being.
If I don't live a life of love, nothing I know will matter. We live in a society that loves to be informed on any number of concerns. The self-help section of the bookstore is full of information. Yet knowing and actually doing are to very different things. Like a lung-cancer specialist who smokes a pack a day, so is a well-read Christian who has not yet learned how to love. They both know there stuff, but there is a big link missing.
If I don't live a life of love, nothing I believe will matter. This may startle some of you who are under the impression that what you believe is the most important thing, and that believing in Jesus is especially critical. It certainly is important, but without love, it doesn't make much difference at ll. Consider this: the Bible gives accounts of Satan and demons having strong belief in Jesus, yet they are considered to be God's enemies.
If I don't live a life of love, nothing I give will matter. Why? Because giving isn't always motivated by love. My guess is that there was at least one gift or card that you gave or sent this Christmas that you did out of a different motivation than love. Obligation. Reciprocity. Kissing up to the boss. Any witnesses out there? There is a huge difference when we give and get if love is the force behind the gift.
If I don't live a life of love, nothing I accomplish will matter. A hundred years from now, nobody will know or care what your title was, how much you got paid, or what kind of camel you drive. But I've laid enough people to rest to assure you that what does last is love - love that impacts life all around a person - an impact that can last from generation to generation. If you struggle with this, tell the person next to you so they can throw some cold water in your face, or some hot coffee in your lap! You need to awaken out of this slumber!
So, if love is so important, what is it? Isn't it simply an emotion?
There are four things I'd like you to know about love...
First, love is a command. And it came from Jesus. So, you're toast if you've been trying to weasel out of this one. If you call Jesus Lord, your Lord is giving you a clear directive: love.
Second, love is a choice. God doesn't force his love on anyone - he makes the choice our to embrace or walk away. Similarly, love is a choice that we have to make - it really doesn't come naturally. We are hard-wired to be self-serving. Love is other-centered. Love is a choice, and sometimes a difficult and even costly decision.
Third, love is a conduct. Love is too often understood as a feeling or emotion when in reality it is behavior - the way you live your life. A wife who tells her husband that she loves him yet is consistently rude to him, or treats him like dirt - is that love? A husband who tells his wife that he loves her yet can barely tear himself away from the bowl games to be with her, and when he does he isn't really there because his blue-tooth is feeding him scores - is this love?
Fourth, love is a commitment. Love isn't something that we decide to do depending on the weather. We are called to love when it feels good and is convenient, as well as when it requires the sacrifice of time and resources at inconvenient times. Jesus lived a life of love when thousands came to hear him and lift him up as their healer. And Jesus lived a life of love when thousands scorned him, spit on him, and lifted him up on a cross as their Savior. That's a commitment, not a feeling. Our culture needs a lesson on this one, wouldn't you agree?
As we move forward, I want to encourage your group to think about how you might show love to the larger community. I'm asking you as groups to think about this and work on this for the duration of this series - how can your group love the community outside the walls of CrossWalk Community Church?
Some questions to ponder...
- How have you struggled with Paul's five radical statements about love? Which one has been the toughest for you to swallow?
- Which of the four descriptors of love have been difficult? Why?
- How can you and your group show love to someone at CrossWalk? Who can you show appreciation toward?
- How can you show love to someone in your circle(s) of influence? Your neighbors, coworkers, friends, acquaintances, etc. Pick one of those persons and love them in some appropriate way.
- How can you and your group love the larger community? Think big -are there any God-sized things you all could rally around?
Note: As you begin this study, be sure to read the daily readings in the Better Together book - it will make a huge difference! Didn't get your copy? Swing by the church - copies are $5.
May you find yourself becoming increasingly and positively uncomfortable as you learn how to love and be loved over the next six weeks.
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