Christianity 101

Another good one from Scott Self from Honolulu cofC

There are times when we tend to lose our focus on what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Our attention gets diverted to things we think are important, and away from things our Master said are important.

If there is one central characteristic or quality of a disciple of Jesus described in the New Testament, it is the quality of love. One cannot begin to understand God's desire and will until one spends a lifetime looking into this most important of virtues.

When Paul addresses the church in 1 Corinthians, there seems to be a dispute as to which gift of the Spirit is most important. Some are able to speak in languages, others are able to speak in prophecy. But Paul would have the church understand that there is "a more excellent way." He calls the church to pursue the most precious gift of the Holy Spirit - the gift of love. Absence of love leaves any other gift useless and benign.

Jesus Himself, at the Sermon on the Mount, challenges His disciples to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect. What quality is Jesus talking about when He mentions perfection? Love for one's enemies. Loving others (specifically enemies) is the very definition of God's perfection.

John is inspired to instruct the church in SEVERAL of his writings that we have been given a new and central commandment - "That you love one another, even as I (Jesus) have loved you." John would remind us that God is love, and that those who do not love have no part with God.

It seems so obvious - so shouldn't it be easy? It's not. Love demands that we make some of the most difficult choices at some of the most challenging times. Thinks of Jesus asking for forgiveness for those who have murdered Him at the cross. It might be a challenge to love people who are crucifying you. It might also be a challenge to love people in your life who oppress, hurt, or say harmful things to or about you.

And it's very easy for us to assume that there should be "limits" on our love. After all, we can only love so much, right? This is where a healthy does of Gospel becomes very important - "While we were still enemies, at the right time Christ died for us." God showed His unending love for us when He offered His only unique Son. This demonstrates that there are NO limits in God's love, and we should strive to be people of limitless love as well.