Wednesday, February 20, 2002
|
Wednesday, February 20, 2002 |
|
Knowledge will pass away, but love lasts forever By REV JOHN HATCHER Because of a certain church's success in southern California, there's a widespread movement to adopt its methodology as "the" right way to do church. I want to offer an alternative. Dionne Warwick was wrong about the psychic hotline. But she was right when she sang, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." I want to suggest that every church member be required to take three courses: Love 101, Love 201, and Love 301. Love 101 would focus on love for God. The reason we live such pitiful, compromised Christian lives, the reason that most people can't tell the difference between Christian and non-Christian is that we don't have a burning, passionate, mighty love for God. The Revelation church of Laodicea made the Resurrected Christ want to throw up because of its lukewarmness. They were neither hot nor cold. Doesn't that describe the lives of millions of Christians: neither not nor cold. Just lukewarm like spit. We need instruction in love techniques; how to talk love to the Father; how to demonstrate love to the Father. We need to hear that it is expected we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Most of us are still stuck in childhood faith, still singing, "Jesus loves me, this I know." Should not we begin singing from the heart, "Oh how I love Jesus"? Love 201 would focus on love for others. Jesus said, "They shall know that you are my followers by your love for one another." We seldom love outside of our blood family or outside our little social clique. Jesus had in mind that we would wrap our loving arms around a lost and dying world and love the world to the Father. That's right: Jesus expected we would love the hell out of people. I am afraid that the church is filled with people who love me and my four and no more. We've lost the concept of love the unlovely. We've never appreciated the radicalism of the love of Jesus in that it is to be extended to the prostitute, drunk, and drug pusher. Our churches have become country clubs where hardcore sinners know they are unwelcome. So, they stay away in droves. Funny thing: Jesus drew them like flies. Love 301 would focus on love of oneself. It's not a selfish concept, but a spiritual one. In Latin and South America the churches have something similar to this. They expect all members to experience personal encounter with themselves as they deal with personal issues that keep them from truly loving themselves. You would be amazed with how many people just don't like much love themselves. To love oneself is embodied in the Great Commandment as stated by Jesus. It's healthy and wholesome to love yourself. I have dealt with my share of people who didn't love God or themselves and wanted to make my life miserable as a result. How does one go about loving himself/herself? The Bible says love is patient. Be patient with yourself. The Bible says love overlooks and forgives. Forgive yourself. Unload all the baggage of the past. Fall in love with yourself all over again or perhaps for the first time. God loves you and also knows all about you. No doubt about it: where there is knowledge, it will pass way. But, love will last forever.
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
