More and more we see protesters with signs or read headlines like the following quotes concerning various issues: “Why can’t we just love one another? Live and let love. More love. Love is love. Christians say less than loving expressions.” If you are from the hippie generation, like me you grew up hearing, “Love not War.”
All this sounds good; however, it presents an incomplete definition of love. These clichés suggest that love means the unconditional acceptance of other people, their characteristics, and their practices. It excludes any counsel that they need to change some part of their life. According to this understanding, the most unloving thing a Christian can say is that all people are sinners, need to repent, and receive God’s grace.
“Well, Jesus was all about love.” Yes, this is true, but what that constitutes depends on one’s definition of love. Love is far more than warm and affection feelings. Some theologians speak of love as a coin with two sides. However, an examination of Scripture shows love is composed of diverse characteristics that coalesce into a multi-faceted whole. Two important facets of God’s love include His wrath and justice. From a human perspective these aspects of love may appear to conflict. This results from compartmentalizing the definitions rather than viewing them from God’s perspective as attributes of the whole. God’s love includes anger against evil. God’s wrath is His love in action against sin. His justice demands a penalty for sin. If one’s definition of love excludes either of these, love degenerates into mere sentimentality.
Note these scriptures. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day (Ps 7:11 NIV). Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you (Ps 89:14 NIV). Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (Eph 5:6). For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18).
Love is not just an attribute of God; God is love (1 Jn 4:8). All understanding of love begins and ends in Him and His personification of love through Christ. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1Jn 3:16). The ultimate manifestation and understanding of His love was the cross. Here God’s justice and wrath were satisfied through Christ’s death. However, all people must receive His gift of salvation in order to escape His wrath. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Proclaiming this message of good news, the Gospel, was the final commission Jesus gave every believer. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mar 16:15).
Another aspect of God’s love directs us to correct those who stumble. If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. (Mt 18:15). Paul added, Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1). He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (Jas 5:20). Hopefully, no Christian seeing their neighbor’s house on fire knowing someone was trapped inside would turn away fearful of warning them. Christians cannot allow culture and society to intimidate them from warning others of their incomplete understanding of love.
I will admit at times that I feel like throwing my hands up in the air and screaming. “What’s the use?” Then the Holy Spirit reminds me Jesus warned that in the last days because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold (Mat 24:12). Because of trials and persecutions from without, and apostasies and false prophets from within, the love of many to Christ and his doctrine, and to one another, shall grow cold (Adam Clarke). Paul told Timothy kindle afresh the gift of God. The imagery here is from the priest kindling afresh or fanning into flame the coals on the temple altar. It is obvious that Timothy’s flame had died down. In the same manner at times, we must rekindle our love. Jesus condemned the Church at Ephesus because they had left their first love. It appears they had fought against heresy but in the process had let their love grow cold. Jesus told them remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first (Rev 2:5).
Love is not always love. It depends of one’s definition of love. A subtle shift has taken place in the world’s understanding of love that is incomplete. It falls short of the fullness of God’s love.
Sustaining Word for the Week: If your love has grown cold because of lawlessness, fan it into flames. Stand up for righteousness; it is not unloving. Love one another as Christ loved us.