Communication today is very different. We are told that the worse thing is to be boring. But if we look in scripture, we find that God gives us his presence in a quiet voice. I think if we are honest, we don't just want to be entertained. We want to meet with a God who loves us deeply much more. We are to be different in how we love one another. Love is not about being entertaining.
So then, how are we to communicate love to each other?
"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them."
- Ephesians 5:1-7 (NIV)
Our God is a triune God. He is one God, but three persons. Because of this, we know that God is always loving. Love is in community and outward-facing from the self even before man came into being.
In Ephesians, Paul is trying to correct the church in Ephesus. He is saying that as Christians, as those who have been born again, we now have a new choice. We now are free to choose to love. We are new creations and as such, we should act like it. Ephesus was drawn to the false gospel of performance. Revelation 2 tells us of this:
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first."
- Revelation 2:1-4 (NIV)
For Christ, love is primary. It is not secondary or tertiary. When we make it a secondary priority, we are not following Christ. We have lost the Gospel. Consider this warning seriously. How do we know that losing love means losing the Gospel? Consider 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 (NIV) "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." What is nothing? How far does NOTHING get you? Do you have NOTHING?
"Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
- Revelation 2:5 (NIV)
This is what we should do when we have lost love. We should repent. Why do we constantly have trouble with sexual immorality? Because we do not have the love of God. Battling sexual immorality is IMPOSSIBLE without traveling the road of the love of God. We cannot fight a spiritual battle without the love of God. We must dedicate ourselves to living lives of love. To be children of God, constantly walking with God.
For a society where we are missing rites of passage, let me ask:
When does a boy become a man? Let me give you a definition, when he starts giving more than he is getting. When he is blessing and not just being blessed.
Let's explore the greatest commandment
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)
Why do you get up in the morning? Why do you eat? Why do you do what you do? If we do any of these things w/o selfless love, we are wasting our time. More than just praying. More than just going through the motions. Acting in love will please God.
There are two walls to love. Guilt and shame. But Christ has taken our guilt. He has paid for our sins in full. He is our righteousness. Jesus wants also to cover our shame. But we have to come to God with our need, our inability to love those around us. Then God will come and answer our prayers and empower us.
Consider that when catastrophe hits our lives, this can be a great testimony. But instead, we just want it to go away. Why? Because all we want is our own comfort... and we super-impose it on everyone. Instead, we should see these conflicts, these problems as opportunities to love more.
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