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You and I are created in the image of God according to Genesis 1:26a. When we act like Jesus we look like God. This description is not so much one of physical characteristics as it is of describing an activity. That activity is what is involved in loving as God loves, for love comes from God and enables us to recognize, enjoy and share that which is God-like. What sometimes makes our understanding of this activity difficult is the world we live in has offered and continues to offer other definitions of love which are far less than the love that comes from God — a love we are called upon to receive and share.
Although there are unfortunately some exceptions, the primary person in most societies who is called upon to share this love is none other than the one called mother. It is most appropriate that we see this responsibility also being bestowed upon the ones called father. In truth loving like this is meant to be done by all who know God and have received God's Spirit. The primary work of the Church is being engaged in the activity of loving as God loves.
We cannot do this loving on our own. In order to love the way God commands us to love we must have God's Spirit and we must abide in Christ Jesus. We must also abide in a loving fellowship of people. This loving fellowship is one important characteristic of the Church.
In John 15:1-8, we have a picture painted for us. There is a vineyard which in the Old Testament was Israel. In the New Testament the vine becomes Jesus. We are branches connected to Jesus because it is in Him that we have life. God is the vine dresser who cares for the vine, cutting away branches that are dead and not producing while pruning actively producing branches so they will produce even more. The line we need to always remember is John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus clearly states that apart from Him, we can accomplish nothing of significance or value. The world, of course, would have us believe differently. This word is particularly apt for those graduating over the next few weeks. The Son of God declares that apart from Him we can do nothing that ultimately matters. Thus, Jesus calls us to abide in Him.
The decision as to whether or not we will abide in Christ is the single most important decision of our life as it determines whether or not we have any real life that is lasting. Unfortunately many, including several in the Church, have never really been confronted in love as to the importance and necessity of this decision.
Choosing to abide in God's love means we are committing our selves to remaining steadfast to the One who remains steadfast to us. God's love for us is the only absolute certainty of life other than our physical death. If we say we love God we must also love others including friends and enemies, neighbors and strangers. The only force that will ultimately overcome the evil in our world is this love.
When we look at this love clearly there are some things we need to understand and accept. Love goes first. Love does not wait for the other to act before it decides what to do. God first loves us. God's love for us does not depend upon our love for God.
God's love continues even if it is not reciprocated, and our love is to be like that as well. This is not an easy thing to do. We see this played out in marriages, parenting and in world affairs. Love is meant to be creative. Our loving someone else means we never diminish them but rather we do all we can to enable them to become all they can be. So much of the so-called love we see and hear about in the world only uses others as objects to accomplish our desires and agendas. When we are satisfied we throw others away like yesterday's garbage. This has nothing to do with loving for it is totally self-centered. God's love is other-centered. God's love has no place for hatred.
Mamie Mobely, the mother of Emmett Till, was asked if she harbored bitterness toward two white men or towards whites generally, for the brutal murder of her son in 1955. This is what she said:
"It certainly would be unnatural not to hate them, yet I would have to say I'm unnatural.... The Lord gave me a shield. I don't know how to describe it myself.... I did not wish them dead. I did not wish them in jail. If I had to, I could take their four little children — they each had two — and I could raise those children as if they were my own and I could have loved them.... I believe the Lord meant what He said, and I try to live according to the way I've been taught." (Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American Obsession, Studs Terkel, New York: New Press, 1922, pg. 21-22)
This remarkable woman did not return hatred with hatred. She did not give violence in exchange for violence. We would do well to learn from her as today we are seeing what happens when nations and individuals continue to do this.
When we look at those who know how to love as God loves we see those who are prepared to sacrifice for others. Many, if not most, of those who do this will never be known beyond the small number who benefit from these sacrifices. However, it is one of the primary ways we teach others to love. Caring for others' needs is another important aspect of loving. We have to move beyond rhetoric to action. Ask those who engage in loving this way and they will tell you that they receive far more than they give. That is how true love works. It is one way of measuring whether or not what you are doing is truly loving or not.
Loving involves teaching the truth to others and this sometimes requires discipline which is different from unjust punishment. Loving someone does not mean allowing them to continue with inappropriate behavior. There is often a fine line here with what sometimes is not love but hatred and unjust retribution.
John 15:1-8 continues: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."
There you have it — God's formula for our complete joy! Compare this with what others say brings us joy. In the end it is only God's love!
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