Pastor's Blog: The Perfect Opportunity
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No small amount of conversation has in recent days been given to the church’s future in this age of “postmodernity.” That’s because if the prevailing culture views all truth as relative, then what place is there for a people who contend for absolutes, beginning with God?
While there are many responses I might give to that very good question, the place I would start would be to raise the topic of love. Regardless of where people stand on the question of non-negotiable truths in our day, I believe everyone can appreciate the importance of love. To borrow a couple of catchphrases, beauty may indeed be in the eye of the beholder, but love is a universal language that if all persons can’t already speak, everyone would certainly like to.
That’s why I am convinced that this present hour belongs to the church, a body of believers who base their existence on God’s love for them and their subsequent love for everyone else. In a day where only the most calloused soul wouldn’t see the need for our divided world to find a way to come closer together, now seems ripe for Christians to give witness to how a life marked by openness toward others, even and especially those who differ in looks, thoughts, and actions, is because of how God’s love in Christ claimed us precisely when we were at our most unloveliest. Isn’t this what Jesus was getting at when he taught his disciples, “By this will all people know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35)?
So, how do we move in that direction? How do we love others, particularly those we do not like? I offer two suggestions. In the first place, don’t wait for people to act better before you decide to love them. Such an attitude assumes that love is a reward for good behavior, when as Christians we know the highest expression of love is always unconditional and undeserved. Moreover, that attitude also ignores the reality as to how few (if any) of us improve on our own. We instead show growth when someone accepts us where we are and offers us a vision of how we might become better, which essentially is the message of the cross. At Calvary, God poured out His love for us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8), and the realization of such unconditional love has the power to make us a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The power of such transforming love leads to the second suggestion. Once we see ourselves as sinners who have been saved by grace, we become more capable of seeing others in the same way. In other words, we recognize ourselves (or at least our “old” selves) in others, which if done obediently, inspires us to reach out to them in ways that invite them to experience the better changes only the love of Christ can bring about. Then, the old saw, “There but for the grace of God go I” becomes more than a sentiment of pity; it becomes one of mission, as the Spirit moves us to lead others to posit the possibilities of the abundant life to which Jesus calls everyone.
I’m reminded of the story that Michael DeBakey told of a letter he once received from a child whose class had been given the opportunity to quiz the famous cardiovascular surgeon, who was a pioneer in the development of the artificial heart. The question was simple, yet so profound. “Is there any love in an artificial heart?” There was of course no way the vascular surgeon could answer that question, at least not from a medical perspective. The question is more theological and assumes a theological response – only a genuine heart, one transformed by God’s love in Christ Jesus, can rise to such a challenge and at the same time such an opportunity.
On this coming Valentine’s Day, love will be spoken in virtually every language known to man. Let’s not let our voice be lost in the conversation. People need to hear what we have to say and, more importantly, they need to see what we have to show. God’s love in Jesus will win this day, and every day; and never has the need been greater for people to be reminded of this signal truth. The time is perfect for us as Jesus’ followers to step up, speak up, and show up. For Christ’s sake, even more than the church’s sake, let’s not miss the challenge, or the opportunity.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11).