Learning to love as God loves us

This weekend’s Epistle reading from 1 John 5 and Gospel reading from John 15 both include the word “love” multiple times. Our reading from Acts 10 does not use the word at all but does give us an example of love in action with Peter sharing the good news about Jesus with the Gentiles and then wanting them to be baptized and brought into the fellowship of believers in equal standing with the Jews. The Holy Spirit made clear to him what it truly means that “God so loved the world.” His love is offered equally.

I would venture a guess that for all of us that is impossible. We love our spouse, children, and grandchildren more than we love others. And while we know we are supposed to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), we certainly do not love them as we would those who are “on our side.” If truth be told, some of the words that come out of our mouths concerning those we don’t agree with are often anything but what would be considered “love language.”

So how are we supposed to love as the Scriptures call us to love? Let’s begin by realizing that learning to love as God loves us is a work in progress – the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification in us. The work begins with Him working saving faith which clings to the fact that we are loved by God who has saved us through the redemptive work of Jesus, not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We, like everyone in this world, are poor miserable sinners who do not have the right to stand in judgment of who should or should not be loved by God. And what is the goal of that love? Forgiveness of sins and eternal life. And so, the more we see people walking away from God our hearts go out to them. As Jude writes: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 20–23 NIV)

We are not called to love in a way which ignores evil. We hate evil, wanting nothing more to do with it. And when we see people perpetrating evil, we pray that the Lord, in His love, would intervene to stop the evil and change the heart of one walking away from Him that he or she may know instead the joy of the Lord’s salvation.

Shine on the darkened and the cold; Recall the wand’rers to Your fold. Unite all those who walk apart; Confirm the weak and doubting heart, That they with us may evermore Such grace with wond’ring thanks adore And endless praise to You be giv’n By all Your Church in earth and heav’n. (Lutheran Service Book #839, vv. 4 and 5)