There is a lot of division in our country right now. There are two political factions with radically different ideas about what the USA is, and what it should become in the future. Whichever camp you’re in, you probably find it difficult to get along with people in the other camp.
This division has led to a lot of anger, strife… even hatred. It has torn families apart and damaged friendships. It’s ugly.
As Christians, how should we navigate this hostile landscape? What should our guiding principle be? In a word: love.
Commanded to love.
In Mathew 22, an unnamed Pharisee asks Jesus an important question:
[A Pharisee], an expert in religious law, tried to trap [Jesus] with this question:
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.“
Notice that the two greatest commandments both involve love. Love for God; love for people.
In John 15:12 Jesus says: This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
In John 13:35 we’re told that by our love that people will know we are followers of Christ.
I John 4:7 says: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
No matter the circumstances, no matter how unlovable the people around us become, we Christians are commanded to love.
The importance of love.
If we act without love, we act in vain. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in I Corinthians 13.
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
I Corinthians 13:1-3
It’s not enough to go through the motions. You can do all the right things, but if you don’t do them with love in your heart, you’re wasting your time and energy.
What is love?
Scripture makes it clear that love is not optional for the Christian, but what does the word ‘love’ really mean? We return to I Corinthians 13 for the answer:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
I Corinthians 13: 4-7
So if you’re feeling angry and bitter, ask God to fill you with His love. Show love even to those you disagree with, and remember that God loves them as much as He loves you. In all you do, lead with love.
