Light Loving

 

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense- Jesus Christ, the righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world.  We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.  The old command is the message you have heard.  Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.  Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” I John 2:1-10

“I would love ministry (social work) more if I did not have to deal with people.”  This is a joke that I have heard many people say, with their own adaptions.   The irony being that without people with needs there is no ministry or social work.  But dealing with people is messy business!  People with needs can be angry, rude, hostile and downright aggravating.  The world is full of evil and disrespect which challenges our best intentions and patience.

But can we be brutally honest here?  Non-Christians are not the only aggravating people.  Christians can be just as (if not more) mean and hard to deal with as sinners.  Why is that?  People are just people.  We all have our own set of idiosyncrasies, pet peeves, weaknesses and obnoxious ways.  Our carnal, or natural, disposition leans towards selfishness and unloving traits.

But how can we not love our brother for whom Jesus died, and still love Jesus?  We cannot.  If we love, it keeps us out of darkness and in his light.  As we grumble, criticize and gossip about our brother or sister, we begin a descent onto a dark path.  But as we love and cover over the weaknesses of others, it keeps us in the light. 

Walking in the darkness is a challenge and a hazard.  Living in the country, I am always concerned that I might step on a snake in the darkness.  I am afraid there may be holes, or toys left in the yard that will cause me to twist my ankle and fall.  We can guard against spiritual potholes and snakes by simply remaining in the light in thought and in conversation.

Our words indicate the condition of our heart.  If we are speaking loving words, that is indicative of a heart full of love and light.  If we speak unmercifully, we open our heart and lives to darkness.  That type of darkness does not make the aggravating person stumble.  It causes us to stumble!  It is a foolish thing to turn out the light on ourselves…

Dear Lord, help me walk in love toward my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Help me to remember I am as guilty and unlovely as any of them.  Thank you for your mercy that covers me and help me to walk in mercy toward others.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri