pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: love


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Love of God and Other

Reading: 1st Corinthians 13:4-7

1st Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous… doesn’t brag… isn’t arrogant.”

Photo credit: Freestocks

Continuing in the theme of love of self versus love of God and neighbor, today we turn to a familiar wedding verse. Chapter 13 is titled, “Love: the universal gift” in the Bible I use at home. In this chapter, Paul elevates love above all else.

If one takes just a bit of time and watches or observes someone, it becomes apparent rather quickly if they love self more than God or other. Yes, we all have our bad days and challenging moments, but if one gets a large enough sample size, the answer to who sits on the throne of our heart becomes apparent.

Verse 4 begins with “Love is patient, love is kind.” These observable traits show up, especially in hard situations. To practice patience and kindness at all times is the first sign of love of God and other. Paul continues, love “isn’t happy with injustice.” Yes, to truly live means standing up for the other, usually putting self at risk. Paul adds, “Love puts up with… trusts in… hopes for… endures…” all things. These are all ways that one elevates love of God and other over love of self.

In verses 4-6 Paul shares a list of what love is not. These are also easily observable. Love “isn’t jealous… doesn’t brag… isn’t arrogant… rude… irritable.” Love does not “keep a record of complaints” (wrongs.) There are ways that we keep score, that we try to maintain our place atop the ladder or sand pile, that we love self above all else. May it not be so with you and I.

Prayer: Lord God, in our world and in our culture, there are ample examples of what it is and what it looks like to love self. These ways neglect love of you and therefore love of other. Speak into our hearts, O God, calling us to the most excellent way of love. In humility may we ever seek to love you with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.


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Imitate Christ, Find Joy

Reading: Philippians 2:1-4

Philippians 2:4 – “Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.”

Selfishness and sinfulness have been a part of the human condition since very early in creation. These two traits are opposed to the will and way of God. Within each of us there is a daily battle between the inherent love of self and the call to live God and neighbor.

In Philippians 2 Paul encourages those in the churches in and around Philippi to imitate Christ. Jesus set for the church and for us the example of what it looks like to daily love God and neighbor more than self. Paul invites his readers – then and now – to find encouragement in Jesus’ example, to find comfort in his love for us, to draw on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and to have sympathy (compassion) for others. Paul tells the Philippians that this kind of living will “complete my joy.” Living this way is pleasing to God today.

To live like Christ one must work against our nature to do things for self. Instead, Paul encourages us, writing, “With humility think of others as better than yourselves.” Stripped of arrogance and pride, life is not all about us and our wants and our pleasures. Keeping in line with this practice, Paul then writes, “Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” Focus on the ways that we can care for and love on others. Focus on the ways that we can provide for and protect our neighbors. Doing these things, we imitate Christ. Doing these things, we find great joy in living for Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to look outward rather than inward. Break the tendencies to think first of self and to strive for the world’s “success.” Draw us to the heart of Christ, to humble service and sacrificial love. From this place of heart, use us to care for the weak and vulnerable, to feed the hungry and the lonely, to stand for and with the oppressed and the marginalized. As we seek to imitate Christ, fill us with joy. Amen.


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The Condition of Our Heart

Reading: Romans 2:5-11

Romans 2:9 – “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.”

Paul contrasts two kinds of living in today’s passage. First he addresses those who are “stubborn.” Their hard hearts refuse to change. They persist in doing evil. They are selfish and disobedient. God’s judgment will fall on these people. Paul writes, in verse 9, “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.” Final judgement will come on “the day of wrath,” when the good and evil will be eternally separated.

Our passage also addresses the fate of those who do “patient good work.” Paul is not arguing for a works-based salvation here but is pointing out that the fruit of a heart set on God will be evident. Instead of trouble and distress, those whose hearts are set on God will experience “glory, honor, and peace.” On the day of judgment, the righteous will receive “immortality,” or the salvation of their souls.

Paul and most others in the Bible portray the choice between good and evil, between righteous and unrighteous living, in black and white terms. The reality, however, is that no one is good all the time or evil all the time. All of us certainly tend one way or the other. We are either seeking to follow Jesus and to reflect his will and way or we are living for self, reflecting the will and way of the world. In the end, all will face final judgment. As Paul writes, “God does not have favorites.” We will be judged by the whole of our life. This will reveal the condition of our heart. May our hearts be filled with love of God and neighbor.

Prayer: Lord God, in the daily walk of life, keep us focused on doing and being love in the world. May the world of our hands and the words of our mouths be pleasing in your sight. May our hearts reflect your heart for all of creation. Amen.


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One in Christ

Reading: Galatians 3:6-9 and 26-29

Galatians 3:29 – “Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.”

In Galatians 3, Paul is working to bring unity to the churches in Galatia. There is division between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. The division centers on the importance (or not) of the Law in terms of faith in Jesus Christ. To the Jews, this feels essential. To the Gentiles, this is a non-issue.

Paul uses Abraham as his example of someone who God declared righteous – about 430 years before the Law was given by God through Moses. It was Abraham’s belief and obedience that led God to declare him righteous. Not only that, but God also “preach the gospel in advance,” declaring that the Gentiles would be blessed (saved) through Abraham’s descendants – all in the basis of belief and obedience to the Lord Jesus.

On this basis Paul can write, “You are all God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ.” For all who are baptized into Christ, for all who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior, they have “clothed yourselves with Christ.” The old self is gone and the new has come. As one in Christ, all social, economic, ethnic, and gender divisions are gone. Clothed with Christ there are no such things as Jew or Gentile, democrat or republican, slave or free, upper class or lower class, male or female, single or married. All are one, all are equal in Christ. With this truth, Paul sums up in verse 29, writing, “Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.” All who believe are blessed to inherit the promises: the salvation of your soul and the gift of life eternal. We hold these promises. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your wife open heart- one that loves all of humanity, one that seeks a saving relationship with us all. In you there is just one kind of person: a child of God. Help us to see all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior this way too. All equally loved, all equally belonging, may we come to truly live as one in Jesus Christ. Amen.


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The Church As Love

Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:44 – “All the believers were united and shared everything.”

In today’s passage, Luke describes the early community of faith. The community acts this way because of and through God’s presence with them. Verse 42 lists four practices of the early church. They were devoted to learning about Jesus. They were committed to one another. The community shared meals together. And they prayed together. The level of connection to and care for one another, both empowered by God’s Spirit, brought a “sense of awe” to this community of believers.

God’s power was also evident in other ways. The apostles “performed many wonders and signs,” doing as Jesus had taught them to do. In verse 44 we read, “All the believers were united and shared everything.” There was a deep feeling of connection, rooted in love. This led to compassion and generosity being evident in the community. Those in the community were willing to sell their things to have the means to provide for other’s needs. All of this was guided by their faith in Jesus.

Daily worship reinforced and strengthened their connection to the Lord. Daily meals did the same for their connections to one another. Outside of the community, the believers “demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone.” Outside the “walls,” the church was Jesus’ hands and feet and heart.

Because of their faith and the ways they lived together and out in the world, “the Lord added daily” to their community. People were coming to a saving faith in Jesus each day. The love of God was transforming lives. May this be the kind of faith that we live out and practice daily.

Prayer: Lord God, what a beautiful picture of what it means to be the community of faith. As we live out our faith daily, O God, empower us to witness to the world this kind of love. Inside and outside the church, may we be living witnesses to your love for all of humanity. Amen.


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Romans 16:17-20

Romans 16:19 – “But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.”

As Paul closes his letter to the Romans, he returns to a familiar topic: Christian unity. On one level, in our age where the church has split into literally 100’s of denominations, this passage applies to individual churches. Yet on the larger level I can’t help but think that all these divisions grieves the heart of God. At what point do genuine theological differences divide and at what point is it personal preference or opinion that leads to division?

Taking broad strokes today, Paul warns us to “watch out for people who create division and problems against the teaching you heard.” Paul is talking about a core set of theological understandings about Jesus and what it means to truly follow him. My mind goes to the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets… that we used to wear. This question still makes a great filter for Paul’s warning. Paul continues to advice concerning these folks, writing, “Keep away from them. They are serving their own feelings.”

We all know and see people and leaders who regularly choose selfish ambition over humble service to the common good. We see people in positions of power using “smooth talk” to justify the things they are doing and saying that would make Jesus cry and weep if he were present today. In the midst of all this Paul turns to the individuals that make up the church, saying, But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.” In the midst of a world focused on self, you focus on the good. Love God and love neighbor. Let that be your guide. Be well aware of the evils and stay innocent of these things. And trust. Yes, trust that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan.” Lord Jesus, come soon. Come soon.

Prayer: Lord God, as churches and as believers, we have so much in common in our theologies and understandings. Use these primary matters to create more unity in the family of God. Help us to understand that secondary and tertiary matters do not have to divide us. Lead us to make better choices, to model Jesus’ love better. Gather your church to be the witness that you desire us to be. Amen.


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Love – Boldly and Completely

Reading: James 2:1-4

James 2:1 – “My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Photo credit: Shane

The letter of James focuses on Christian identity – what it means and looks like to live as a believer as a pilgrim in a foreign land. Christians were a very small minority, whether amongst the Jews in Israel or amongst the pagans in the Roman world. The pressures and challenges of living faithfully in these settings were great. The need for close community, unity within that community, and love amongst the brothers and sisters of Christ were all essential for James and for the churches that he wrote to.

For James, Jesus was the model of faithful living. Jesus set the example of love and he redefined who was welcome in the family of God. As we turn to chapter 2, we do so with these things in mind. In verse 1 James writes, “My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These first few words remind the believers (and us) of their deep familial connections to Jesus and to one another. This impacts how one treats and acts towards others. James continues, condemning the practice of showing favoritism. This practice is counter to Jesus’ example, therefore it is counter to being a part of the family of God and to being a part of a church community.

Treating one who is well off differently than the one who is poor is simply not what Jesus modeled. To give the one in fine clothes a preferential seat while yelling the poor person to go stand far off or to sit at other’s feet – that is becoming an “evil minded judge.” It is allowing stereotypes and prejudices to impact how we practice loving our neighbor. It is wrong in every way. It denies the image of God in the other and in ourselves. All are beloved of God. All are worthy of our love. In thought, word, and action, may we love boldly and completely.

Prayer: Lord God, it can be tempting to show preferential treatment to one person or group. Our humanity is quick to evaluate potential gain and to evaluate potential cost. In the times when we are tempted, remind us of your love for all people, especially for the least of these. With this Holy Spirit reminder, guide us to act faithfully in the way of love. Amen.


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Building the Kingdom

Reading: Matthew 12:24-30

Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom involved in civil war will become a wasteland. Every city or house torn apart by divisions will collapse.”

We begin a week focusing on unity, peace, and love with a passage from Matthew 12. The Pharisees and Jesus often had interactions that highlight the differences between faith in Jesus and the religion of Judaism. The point of contention in today’s reading centers around the casting out of demons.

After healing a demon-possessed man, some people are beginning to ask of Jesus, “This man couldn’t be the Son of David, could he?” The Pharisees do not think Jesus is the Messiah, so they seek to offer an alternate explanation for the healing of the man. The Pharisees declare that Jesus can cast our demons because he is in cahoots with Satan. In response to this claim, Jesus counters with: “Every kingdom involved in civil war will become a wasteland. Every city or house torn apart by divisions will collapse.”

Unfortunately we have seen this happen again and again in kingdoms, cities, homes, and even in the church. Civil strife, personal conflict, selfish ambitions – they all lead to and very often end in disunity, division, collapse. Satan is almost always the author of this. What Jesus is doing is just the opposite. By the power of God’s spirit, Jesus heals, bringing reunification, belonging, wholeness. With the same power of the Holy Spirit we can counter disunity and division.

Jesus offers a summary statement in verse 30: “Whoever isn’t with me is against me, and whoever doesn’t gather scatters.” When we speak words of peace and love that lead to unity, we are gathering with Jesus. When we work to end strife, conflict, and other sins that lead to division, then we are working with Jesus, seeking to build the kingdom of God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, where there is division, use us to bring unity. Where there is conflict, use us to bring peace. Where there is hatred, use us to spread love. Where there is separation, use us to build a bridge. In all ways, use us to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. Amen.


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Practice and Model…

Reading: Matthew 6:14-15

Matthew 6:14 – “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Today’s two short verses come at the end of Jesus teaching the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is a prayer that we know by heart. Most of us recite these words each Sunday and at other times as well. Of all that Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer, the only part that he felt needed a little emphasis was the part about forgiveness. Did Jesus know that we would struggle with seeking and offering forgiveness?

In verses 14 and 15 Jesus emphasizes our role in being people of forgiveness. There is a feel here that if we are not people who regularly and consistently practice and Model forgiveness, then we will not be forgiven by God for our sins. This understanding does not, however, align with other passages about forgiveness in the scriptures. No other passage contains what feels like “conditions” to be forgiven by God. So then, what is Jesus getting at here in verses 14 and 15?

First, forgiveness is like love, generosity, grace, compassion, comfort… We must practice and model these facets of who and what God is. When we do, we experience God’s forgiveness, love, generosity… in deeper and more transformational ways. Living out a more Christ-like life draws us closer to Christ. Second, as we practice and model forgiveness we begin to grow into the “as far as the east is from the west,” your sin is more, practice of God. Truly understanding God’s unconditional and complete ways of forgiveness leads us to practice and model this kind of forgiveness in our lives and relationships. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, day by day lead us to develop, to grow into, to truly live out forgiveness in the ways that you do. Being able to let go, not holding onto past hurts, not plotting getting even, it is truly freeing. In this place, we are so closely aligned to you and your heart. Draw us there, closer and closer, O God, encounter by encounter. Thank you. Amen.


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Contagious

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 7:5-7

2nd Corinthians 7:6 – “God comforts people who are discouraged, and he comforted us by Titus’ arrival.”

Photo credit: Uta Scholl

As Paul and his companions arrive in Macedonia there is no rest for the weary. There are problems – “external conflict… internal fears.” For Paul and his coworkers these trials and hardships could be barriers to ministry. But God has other plans. In verse 6 we read, “God comforts people who are discouraged, and he comforted us by Titus’ arrival.” At just the needed time, God sends Titus, bringing along the encouragement that he has received himself in Corinth. In turn, Titus encourages Paul and others there in Macedonia.

When one lives out their faith it often inspires others to live out their faith too. This isn’t just true for comfort. It also works this way with peace, joy, trust, generosity, assurance, grace, humility, mercy, contentment, forgiveness… The practices of our faith are contagious!

Titus also brings a personal message for Paul. The church in Corinth longs to see Paul. They want an opportunity to express their regret for what happened during his last visit. On that second visit Paul was deeply hurt. The church has dealt with this person but still wants to apologize and receive forgiveness face to face. This news brings Paul much happiness. To mend a relationship, to offer care and concern, to restore what was broken, these things bring us much joy and happiness too.

Where do we need to bring comfort through our words of reconciliation and grace? Where do we need to respond to the brokenness in our lives or in the world?

Prayer: Lord God, guide our lives, leading us to be people who live out a contagious faith. May the light and love of Christ in our hearts be cast wide in the world, bringing healing and wholeness to our relationships and to other’s lives. Amen.