Believers who are “M.A.D.”
“A Life of Love”
1 John 4:7-21
* This week I read a wonderful story about Coach Tom Landry that illustrates the level of his Christian love and acceptance of others. Years ago, the late Ohio State coach, Woody Hayes, was fired for striking an opposing player on the sidelines during a football game. The press had a field day with the firing and really tarred and feathered the former Buckeye coach. Few people in America could have felt lower than he at that time; he not only lost control in a game and did a foolish thing, but he also lost his job and much of the respect others had for him. At the end of that season, a large, prestigious banquet was held for professional athletes. Tom Landry, of course was invited. Guess who he took with him as his guest? Woody Hayes, the man everyone was being encouraged to hate and criticize.
* Of all the things which are negatively impacting this culture, I submit the lack of love shown by believers lead the pack.
* This past year an independent Baptist preacher in Arizona preached a message entitled, “Why I Hate Obama!” Well, at least that is the title Fox News reported. In the midst of this scathing message he was quoted as saying, ““I’m gonna pray that he dies and goes to hell when I go to bed tonight. That’s what I’m gonna pray.” While it is true that there exist very few issues which our President lines up with Biblical teaching, it is equally true that to pray anyone into hell is NOT the spirit of Christ. In Luke 9 when the Samaritans did not receive Jesus as He was headed toward Jerusalem, the disciples encouraged Jesus to call down fire to decimate the country. Jesus rebuked their ungodly spirit. The prayer which honors the ministry and legacy of Christ is to pray for the President’s salvation because the Bible teaches us that God has set up every authority. This includes the ungodly governments & governors which we see. Believer need to be mad.
* What would it be like ‘if’ those who claim to be redeemed, born-again, and changed by the power of God began to live their lives in line with the teaching and desire of Christ? The great command is “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” Over a dozen times in the New Testament we are told to “Love One Another” and in fact, the life of the believer is to be epitomized by love. Consider a ‘life of love’ with me in three slices.
1. The Reality of Love – Let’s not spend our time on the three types of love which are so often mentioned but rather let’s focus on the ONE types of Christian love to which we are called; It is Agape or Gods type of love.
A Life of Love – Pg 2
a. Its Command – John begins, “Dear Friends (my dear friends or beloved)”. Several things come to my mind as I begin reading verse 7. First, it seems that every time a Biblical writer begins with such a tender expression, he is about to tell us something we don’t care to hear so he softens the blow by a tender address. His call is for us to love ‘one another’ and quite likely he speaks these words because the words of Christ are still ringing in his ears. It was that last night around the table in the upper room that Jesus repeated 4 times, “Love One Another.” Jesus was so emphatic about this that two times (one in chapter 13 and another in chapter 15) He proclaimed it a command, which is a charge, an order, or an injunction. It is also a prescription as it is prescribed for believers to remain healthy in their faith. By the way, it is not an ‘optional’ prescription; it is a matter of personal and collective life or death. Could it be that the lack of this med is the reason that the modern-day church and culture is so sick? Love is our currency.
b. Its Character – John continues by saying, “Love is from God.” So the love we are to love each other with is a godly love. From verse 7-21, by my count, the word love is used over 20 times and the only word used in the original language has ‘agape’ as its root. Though he is writing about our love for one another, the character of the love we are to possess is that of God’s love. What exactly is this love? (We could spend all day and not exhaust this subject, but let’s get our minds around it in simple terms.) It is not that God can, will, or does love us. Love is not something God does, it is WHO HE IS! In His word we are given snippets which help us understand, in human terms, His love. (Read Verse 10) Godly love makes the first move, Godly love gives when it hurts, and Godly love responds unselfishly. Think about Paul’s take on the character of love: “love is patience and kind. It is not boastful, conceited, or selfish. It does not envy, act improperly, or keep a record of wrongs. It is not easily provoked not does love keep a record of wrongs. It does not rejoice in unrighteousness, evil, or wrongdoing, BUT rejoices in truth.” Paul writes to the Romans to intimate that God’s love was given to us, when we didn’t deserve it. This is the love we are called and commanded to be full of and to give out!
c. Its Connection – (Read 11-13) Love is how we know we are ‘in Him.’ Our connection to Him is our love for Him but it doesn’t stop there. (video projectors) Just like the projectors cannot function if not connected to the power, you and I cannot function if not connected to God through the power of His love.
A Life of Love – Pg 3
2. The Reach for Love – One of the truths about God’s love is that it is an endless type of love. Years ago Bill Gaither wrote a Christmas musical entitled, “His Love..Reaching.” God’s love reaches into every crack & crevice of our world and heart. Look at where that love is to go;
a. To the Father – We have already mentioned the ‘royal law’ of love God with all that we are however, the love for the Father is authenticated by a confession and testimony that Jesus is God’s Son. Know what this means? The circle of love. The circle of love begins in heaven with the Father, who obviously loves the Son, who loves you and me so much that He died in our place. When we place our faith in Christ, falling in love with Him by confessing Jesus as Lord and testifying about Him being God’s Son and the Savior of the world, then we express our love back to the Father for His gift of salvation. Also, in our expression of love for the Father and Son, we show those outside of the family the love of Christ in everything we do and in the process extend His love.
b. To the Brothers – Our text says, “LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” Be reminded of the command in the upper room by Jesus and that Jesus said, “It is in this way that people will know you are my disciples.” When we consider this one statement by Jesus, could it be that we have discovered the flawed foundation upon with the modern day church is built? Too often there is more love shown among drinking buddies than among those who claim to be God’s people. When you called out someone in a bar, everyone comes to that person’s rescue. What happens inside the modern-day Americanized church? Is it any wonder that people who are interested in knowing God have little or no interest in the church? Folks, the only way we can ‘make a difference’ is to really BE DIFFERENT! This means discovery! We must discover God’s way to handle conflict, gossip, selfishness, greed, and the rest. There is another issue here (20). For years I have wondered what it would be like “IF” we used this verse for church discipline and membership. When I love my brothers in Christ, I don’t find fault, extend conflict, gossip, or berate. To love someone is to truly desire the best and work with them to that end.
c. To the Opposers – While we don’t find this concept within passage, in His very first message Jesus gave us this truth. (Matt 5:43-44) Truthfully, the Greek word literally means someone who ‘hates’ you or an adversary. Jesus never gives us permission to get even or retaliate, rather we are commanded to love and even pray for their salvation. In today culture, not always are these outside the church. In many places those who are against the work of God are found inside as Jude warns us.
A Life of Love – Pg 4
3. The Response from Love – In the granddaddy of all musicals, Bill Gaither’s “Alleluia”, there is a song entitled “Bethlehem, Galilee, and Gethsemane.” One part of this song’s narration has always stuck with me. It says, “Had Christ been a philosopher, they could have debated Him. Had He been a warrior, they could have fought Him. Had He been a religionist, they could have ignored Him as an eccentric. Christ was love, and what do you do with that?” We are called to respond like Jesus did and does. When we do this, I submit 3 things happen in my life.
a. My identity is irrefutable – I am not a “Christian” because I say I am, rather I am only a Christian when the lost world sees my response and by my response, connects me to Christ. When they see His love working in me, then they know who I am. This is done by what I say, what I do, and how I treat others.
b. My influence is increased – One of the truths which we miss is this; People listened to Jesus not because He was the Son of God (most didn’t realize who He was), but because of His concern, compassion, and love for the common person. The religious leaders (and people) had lost their spiritual influence because they ‘said one thing and did another.’ Just like back then, people are looking for authenticity and when they find it, they follow it.
c. My impact is intensified - It is more than a coincidence that when People find the real deal, they will follow. When we profess Christ as Savior and the love He gives is lived out, the impact of our life grows exponentially. Think about Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was small in stature, yet made such an impact on the world. How? Her mantra was:
“By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, I am an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.
Her love has shaped a culture. In 1994, she was invited to speak at the National Prayer breakfast in Washington. All the speakers at these bi-partisan events are instructed to avoid controversial comments. She, obviously did not get that memo because her speech (in the presence of President Clinton) was an impassioned plea against abortion. (Read)
When she finished, President Bill Clinton who, at that time, was considered the strongest ally of abortion ever to be in the White House stood and said, “How can you argue with a life so well lived?”
A life so well lived is a life lived by, through, and with the Love of God.
Mother Teresa’s Closing remarks:
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish…
Please don’t kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child and be loved by the child…
From our children’s home in Calcutta alone, we have saved over 3000 children from abortion. These children have brought such love and joy to their adopting parents and have grown up so full of love and joy…
From here, a sign of care for the weakest of the weak - the unborn child - must go out to the world. If you become a burning light of justice and peace in the world, then really you will be true to what the founders of this country stood for. God bless you!”
