So it begins. The reopening of America starts in earnest all over the nation this week. Just hours ago Missouri’s orders shifted all over the state. All businesses (except by local ordinance) now are essential. Of course on many levels this is very exciting.
Let me make a suggestion. We need to double-down on our efforts to love people around us well. More than likely, people will respond to the opening businesses with varying degrees of comfortability.
Consider the Nature of Love
The Apostle John connects both the command to love and the example of love together. Notice what he writes:
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)
In these verses, notice how he develops his point.
- First, he makes it clear that we are to love one another. There’s no question we are to live with our neighbors in mind.
- Second, a lack of love toward others suggests a person does not have a personal relationship with God through Christ. Why is that? Because God is love. As Christ-followers, we demonstrate love as God has done through Christ.
- Third, at the heart of love – its very foundation – is sacrificial selflessness. God sent His only Son, Jesus (selflessness). He came to be the wrath-bearing sacrifice for our sins (sacrificial).At the heart of love - its very foundation - is sacrificial selflessness. God sent His only Son, Jesus (selflessness). He came to be the wrath-bearing sacrifice for our sins (sacrificial). #OneMinuteMonday Click To Tweet
Therefore, Love Like You Mean It
If you are a follower of Christ and say you love God and people, then we must live like these things are actually true.
What will that look like?
In each situation our response to those around us will be different in terms of the details; however, the heart of our response needs to be the same. Let me point out the heart.
- Consider the unique perspective and needs of the other person
- Remember that not everyone sees this virus from your point of view
- Ask yourself what love looks like. Specifically, what does sacrificial selflessness look and sound like with this individual?
When you have worked through these three steps, then you are much better prepared to go out and love others like you mean it.If you are a follower of Christ and say you love God and people, then we must live like these things are actually true. #OneMinuteMonday Click To Tweet
If you missed your service this past weekend, here’s a link to my message from Sunday out of this same passage. You’ll get the full context for this verse in the message.
