We often feel that hatred is more powerful than love. Hatred shows up in the headlines. Hatred makes for better stories, feeding our fears and anxieties. When stories of love are told, we are led to believe that love is so extraordinary that mere mortals like ourselves could never be that way. Love is shown as the exception to the rule.
But hatred is the easy option. It is the lazy man’s obedience. It is going with the flow. Our natural tendency is to push and pull our way through life. Our elbows are often our most used body part, beside our tongues. We use our power to get what we want, when we want it, and where we want it. And many people feel justified in using evil means to get what they want when someone or something stands in the way.
But John tells us that the Gospel message is infused with a different emphasis than the one that is prevalent in the world. We are commanded to love one another. This is not optional. It is not a late addition to the message of Jesus. Christ died for our sins and this enables us to love one another. Forgiveness is followed by obedience.
And this obedience is central to the organism over which He is the head. The church runs on love, love for God, love for one another and love for the world. Without love, we are a poorly run non-profit. We have too many retail outlets that are not used to capacity. Our volunteer to member ratio is too low with too few people carrying the lion’s share of the work.
But the hardest places to love are often in our homes. Brothers and sisters do and say some pretty horrible things to each other. Sometimes parents crush children instead of nurturing them. Words become shackles that bind for a lifetime. Words are often more powerful than the physical wounds of abuse. The bruises heal, but he words remain.
Cain and Abel were part of the first family on planet earth. And they didn’t get along. The character of Cain was bent on rebellion, just like his parents. He wanted to do things his own way. Abel had a bent toward obedience. He liked following directions. And these different personalities and attitudes toward authority played out as it does all too often in jealousy and anger. Cain won the earthly battle. He killed his brother. But Abel won the eternal battle.
Love wins out. As the recent victims of Muslim beheadings pray for their executioners, so we need to learn how to as individuals act in love toward those who have evil intentions toward us. We need to practice love. We need love to reign in our families, our churches, our communities and our world. Apart for Jesus, we have no hope. But with Him, peace can reign.
Who in your life are you having a hard time loving?
The Arnold Journey 