Today I officiated at a wedding and necessarily, my thoughts are on ‘love.’ The scripture the couple chose for their service was 1 John 4:7-12. Scholars believe that this book, 1 John, was probably a sermon that was delivered to a congregation that had suffered a division among it members. The author throughout 1John seeks to reassure the readers that they are the faithful ones and that those who have separated from the congregation are the ones in error. Scholars believe that the ones who left or were expelled were probably Gnostic Christians.
So even in the early Church we find that there was fussing and misunderstandings. And yet, the point is that even in the face of division and hardships; beauty can arise. We, and all Christians, have been given this awesome text; a text that deals with ‘Love and God”.
Love is a funny thing. We love ice cream, cars, football teams, and music groups. All of us love using the word love. But what does it really mean to love? Does saying you love someone truly mean that you do?
Many people think that love automatically brings with it all the qualities that are needed. But this is not necessarily true. Love, real love, the love that lasts, the love that keeps relationships whole, works only if all parties work at it as well. And some days will be harder than others. Love, real love, love that will keep the relationship alive, will take a lot of effort from all parties. I encourage you to not let yourselves fall to the temptation of thinking otherwise.
Loving can be the most challenging thing we do as Christians. It is easy to love the people we like, but what about those who are not kind, or good? What about those who would seek to do us harm? Can we perceive that God created all of us? The text does not separate people by our value systems or culture, our genders or our socio-economic standings.
“…love is from God …” “… for God is love.” |