September 2013

A SPIRITUAL message

 

A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT LOVE

 

I want to write a short piece about LOVE and the Christian faith.  Obviously, there is so much to say, I can only scratch the surface and be very selective in what I cover.

 

We are aware of a few different, major definitions of love, which highlight very different aspects of it; eg, sexual love, platonic love, a generalized love for all things ‘out there’.  We can love other people, animals, objects, experiences, art, films, music, etc.

 

The Bible has whole chapters devoted to love – Paul’s 1st Epistle to the Corinthians ch.13, and then John’s 1st Epistle ch.4.  Paul defines love – ‘love is patient; love is kind, it is not proud’ (v4).  ‘Love never fails’ (v8).  Years ago, I went to the funeral of a close friend’s mother.  The vicar taking the service advised us to substitute the word ‘Jesus’ for the word ‘love’.  This proves a very interesting thing to do!

 

John’s first epistle tells us as Christians to ‘love one another, for love comes from God’. (ch.4, v7).  He goes further and says “Whoever does not love, does not know God because GOD IS LOVE (v8).  These three words ‘God is love’ are for me the most profound, more inspiring and yet enigmatic in the Bible.  (2 verses contain the phrase in 1 John ch4, vs 8 and 16).  What does it mean?  God’s character, His very essence is love – and it is with love that he relates to us, love that He directs at us.

 

One of the most profound qualities of love for me, as a father, and a lover of animals, is giving the object of my love FREEDOM, freedom to be themselves, to express themselves in the way in which they choose to do so. I also believe this is so central to the love God has for us, that He has given us ‘freedom of choice’, to choose Him, or another way.  True love is freedom, it isn’t about controlling, or dominating others and ‘there is no fear in love.  “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John, ch4, v18)

 

Jesus was asked “Which is the greatest commandment in the law of Moses?” (Matthew ch.22 v36).  He replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”.  He went on to say “Love your neighbour as yourself” (v39)

 

This is essential in our church, as in all Christian communities, at all times, but especially as, during an interregnum, some may feel vulnerable and lacking leadership.

 

I shall end with a wonderful quote from the great Spanish mystic, St John of the Cross.  He said

“When the evening of this life comes,

We shall be judged on love”.

(all Bible references are from NIV, 1980 edition

 

Richard Webb