31 July 2008

Perfect Love


Perfect Love casts out all fear.


It's been awhile since I've looked at that verse and I'd even have to hunt to find where it is again. But even so, I think I'm seeing another side of it that I've never thought of before. I used to just think that by God's perfect Love coming within me all fear would be chased away (except the fear of the Lord of course!). But now I'm seeing that it also could apply in another way as well. It takes God's love within us - that perfect Love - to flow from within us to enable us to fully love others. This is something we cannot do on our own. (I've tried!) But with God's Spirit from within loving through us, we are able to love even those who are difficult for us in and of ourselves to love. Including our enemies. Now, take this a bit further and think of the people whom you fear. The bully at school, the strict boss, those who look at you funny, or those who would even like to take your life through abuse, intimidation, murder. Think of even terrorists. Do we fear these people? Do we cower at the thought of those who haunt darkened streets at night? Yet we're commanded to love even those! So how do we do it? It's through that same perfect love flowing through us. It helps us to love those we have difficulty loving, and in this case including those we fear. Because, if we are able to love them with God's perfect Love from within us, then that Love will trump fear. We will feel love and compassion for others more than the natural fear that arises within us. It is because of this that Jesus was able to say, Father forgive them. And so was Stephen and many others who have faced persecution, crimes, and death at the hands of their enemies. In the words "Forgive them" it is shown that the divine Love within them at that moment overcame all fear. Perfect Love casts out all fear.

18 July 2008

Whose offense is it, anyway?


When Jesus died on the cross, he died in order to take away our offense before God, therefore being able to approach him. He didn't, however, die so that those of the world who are offended by God would then accept him. Jesus died to take away our sin, our iniquities, our pain of separation from God, but he didn't die to save us from the pain and suffering that would be caused by a world that is still offended by God himself. That offense remains. Therefore, as Jesus said, "If they persecuted me, they'll persecute you too." It's because we carry God (the offense of the world) within us that we are persecuted. That pain, shame, and suffering will still remain until the end when all things are set straight once and for all.



Luke 21:17-18 You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish.


Matthew 10:24-25 A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!


John 15:18-21 If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world - therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, "Servants are not greater than their master." If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.