The Limitless Love Of God

If not careful, as we study the Bible, we will pick and choose passages that support certain points of view or principles to which we cling. Yet those who first heard what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount had no idea what Jesus was about to say. They understood the moralism of their day, they had a preconceived idea of what they wanted from the Messiah, and they could put voice to their expectations. Though they were in the inner circle, they were about to have their thinking caps flipped. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded message/sermon of Jesus; he delivered it near the early days of his public ministry.

Jesus’ message covered a wide range of issues (e.g., prayer, justice, benevolence, religious law, divorce, fasting, judgmental attitudes, salvation, and so forth). He set before the people the highest standard of living that has ever been shared; it was not a call to what I call nit-picky legalism. The standard to which he called them was a challenge to do better than the norm of society and the nit-picky legalism of the Jewish leaders.

I want us to focus on a section of the sermon that poses one of the greatest challenges in the sermon. That involves embracing the limitless love of God. When I think of the limitless love of God, I am reminded of the song, Reckless Love. A line from the song illustrates the kind of love God has for everyone: Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

1. The “law of the land” doesn’t meet the expectation of Jesus for his disciples

Matthew 5:43 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that.

In the past week this message has resonated with my mind and soul. The greatest concern involved how to share it without appearing to simply focus solely on a pro-life and right to bear arms posture. In preparing this sermon I sensed God wanting to use me to help the church look closely at our role in society.

Jesus’ teaching wasn’t a homily designed to flatter or impress the religious and political gurus of the day. The purpose of his teaching was to challenge and encourage his followers as they were called to live in the world. The challenges we face as we seek to be Jesus’ disciples in the world equal those faced by early Christians, though some are uniquely different. Yet our challenges related to being a witness in the world are uniquely different. The challenge is how to communicate with those who take strong radical stances that are antithetical to the Gospel. The best way to communicate with those who are unaffiliated with the church and convey godly principles is to demonstrate the attitude and actions of Jesus—love them, demonstrate the self-giving lifestyle.

Hatred isolates people and this results in a person being left to their own mind. When we attack our enemies, even in the name of truth, we lose our ability to engage them in meaningful ways. They will gravitate toward like-minded people, often those that are attacking their opponents—like us. If not careful, we will foster an us vs. them mentality. We will often say we do not hate people; however, in their mind we create that perception.

2. Jesus challenges his disciples to love the “unlovable”

Matthew 5:44-45 I’m telling you to love (agape) your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.

Societal issues like abortion and gun control are big umbrella issues. People are emboldened in their positions. Opposing sides have drawn a line in the sand; those on the other side of the line are marked as enemies.

Last week I posted this on Facebook:

I want what I want. How much of it I want. When I want it. And I don’t want anyone telling me I can’t have it. I fear this is the mindset of too many. I have often used this analogy to illustrate the internal drive for alcohol and other drugs; however, it fits a number of societal issues—a relentless passion for what people want. They want limitless restrictions on what they want. The analogy fits those who support abortions and the right to bear arms.

Dialogue appears to be impossible. From a distance, Christians hurl gospel bombs at those with whom they disagree, as if believing it will convert them. Pulpits across America have become a place to “throw down the gauntlet.” The term derives from the time of medieval knights when a knight would offer a challenge by throwing down his gauntlet (a metal glove which formed part of his suit of armor). I fear many Christian champion the call to a dual and enjoy a good fight. A key question for us, is the Sermon on the Mount a thesis designed to challenge our adversaries to a duel?