Readings for tomorrow: Romans 13-16
The love of God is the most powerful force in the universe. It bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things. And never, ever fails. It is patient and kind. It is not boastful or arrogant or rude. It keeps no record of wrongs. It rejoices in all that is right and good and noble and true. This is why Jesus says to love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength is the first and greatest commandment. It’s why He says the love of neighbor is the second great commandment. It’s why He believes all other commandments rest on these two. And I believe it with all my heart. In fact, I’ve staked my life on it. I’ve put all my eggs in this basket. Pushed all my chips to the middle to bet on the love of God.
The Apostle Paul clearly felt the same way. I love what he says in Romans 13:8, “Do not owe anyone anything, except to love on another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” He goes on to say that all the commandments can be summed up by loving our neighbors as ourselves and I would probably take it a step further. We should love our neighbor God loves us which is to say relentlessly, unconditionally, faithfully. Love, God’s love, indeed is the fulfillment of the law. Why does Paul say this? Why put so much emphasis on this one command? This one idea? Because only the love of God can motivate us to move beyond self to others. Only the love of God can move us to extend our love outward even to our enemies. The love of God is the most transformational force in the universe because it is grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ Himself. The Son of God who became the Son of Man. The Eternal Word of God become flesh and blood. God incarnate willing to empty Himself and humble Himself and die on a cross. The world has never known a love like this.
As I mentioned above, I have staked everything on the love of God. I have staked my marriage on the love of God. I have staked my parenting on the love of God. I have staked all my relationships, even relationships with those who I might consider my opponents or my enemies, on the love of God. I have staked my ministry on the love of God. I have staked my preaching and teaching and leadership on the love of God. Everything for me comes back to this love. What about you? What drives you? What motivates you? And is it the love of God or some other love?
Readings for tomorrow: Acts 20:4-38, 21-22, 23:1-35