Righteousness Reflected In Love

"Today's Devotion" For October 20, 2005

Read: I John 3:10-15; Matthew 5:43-47

RIGHTEOUSNESS REFLECTED IN LOVE

"In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." (I Jn .3:10-11)

Do you remember the Beatles? When I was growing up they were the "pop" stars of record. If you weren't around when they were hot, you still probably know who they were. One of the more famous lines from one of their songs (I have to admit I don't remember the title of the song) goes like this: "All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love. Love is all you need." This phrasing and thought process fit in very well with the "hippy" culture of the sixties when they recorded the song. The prevailing sentiment in the midst of the Vietnam War was that "love" could overcome everything and end conflicts such as the struggle in Vietnam. Of course, it's instructive to realize that the idea of what it means to "love" was a bit confused in those days (no more so, I'd venture to say, than it is today) because the concept of "free love" had more to do with promiscuity than it did with truly caring and sacrificing oneself for another.

The reality of "love," however, is that it's a word that often overused and misused because of the inadequacies of the English language which only has one word for "love." In order for the true meaning to be expressed, adjectives need to be connected to the word and the context of the word needs to be keenly observed. One of the more popular usages of the word "love" is in the phrase, "I love you." When spoken by a spouse to a spouse it's most likely an expression of their deep commitment to each other. That same phrase, spoken between an unmarried man and woman, could lead to a marriage proposal and a lifelong commitment to each other. At the same time, the phrase "I love you" is often used by men seeking to get something more than a handshake after a date. This same phrase is also used by parents to express their feelings toward their children, as well as children to their parents. Close friends, male or female, may also use this expression of love to let a close friend know how much they feel about them and how important their friendship is. Of course we also realize that the term "love" has a variety of others uses and meanings that have nothing to do with a selflessness or commitment to the welfare of others.

In the face of the "mish mash" of meaning surrounding "love" in the English language, John calls our attention to the true meaning of "love" according to the Word and Will of God. To truly express and exhibit love is a fruit of the righteousness of Christ that lives in the believer. When God's forgiven people follow in Jesus' footsteps, heeding His example and obeying His command to "love one another," "love" is truly understood as acting in a completely selfless and caring manner toward others. To truly "love one another" is to put others first, ahead of ourselves. To live a life filled with Christ's love guiding us to love as He loves is also a dangerous thing. It puts us in "harm's way" because it makes us vulnerable to those who don't care about us or others. The first murder on earth was a result of Cain's anger and jealousy that God had accepted his brother, Abel's, sacrifice rather than his. God accepted Abel's offering as an act of righteousness and love toward God in response to God's love for him. Abel's offering put God first. Cain's did not.

Perhaps the most difficult part of loving as God loves is noticed among the people of God. John reminds us that obedience to Jesus' command "to love on another" (Jn.13:34-35) is what separates us as disciples of Jesus Christ from the rest of the world. We are called to uplift one another rather than excoriate and criticize. We are called to love as Christ loved by support one another and put away gossip from among ourselves. Rather than speaking lies about one another or tearing one another down, we are called in Christ's love to speak well of each other and help one another in all circumstances. God's call to His people in Jesus Christ is to love as Christ has loved us, always ready to forgive one another as He has forgiven us so that we might promote harmony and peace among us. In such loving in our living it's God's purpose that we stand out from among the crowd and are identified as His dear children so that we might be true witnesses of His love and forgiveness for the world. As we live Christ's love among ourselves, others will see the result and be drawn to Christ's love for them so they, too, might be with Him forever.

Prayer: Father, there is no greater love than the love you have shown to me in Jesus Christ. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, help me to avoid the false and impersonal expressions of "love" which permeate the world. Instead, guide me to a full appreciation and understanding of Your love for me in Jesus Christ, that, covered in His righteousness, I might live in Your love and share it openly with others, both in the household of faith and in the world around me. Let my life be a living example of Christ's selfless, sacrificial love for me so that I might be an effective witness to others and one who continues to uplift my brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.