Love. Don't get it twisted!
A sermon about love and fear.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (1 John 4: 18-21, RSV)
In discerning the text we have before us this morning, I came across a poem entitled: "I am Afraid". Unsure of it's author or origin, I still want to share it with you.
It says:
You say that you love the rain, but you use an umbrella to walk under it. You say that you love the sun, but you seek shelter when it is shining.
You say that you love the wind, but when it blows you close your windows. This is why I am afraid; when You say that you love me.
The poem depicts in a simply way how the word love is often used in everyday life. A word we say when we don't have the right words to express an emotion we feel.
A feeling that changes with time and in circumstances and far removed from real commitment and dedication to that which we say that we love.
Besides we all know: what's love got to do with it? It is just a second hand emotion.
Behind the text
However, for the author of this letter written to the Johannine congregation this is not so. Love is not a second hand emotion.
The congregation he is writing to, is being torn apart by different beliefs and doctrines they have in their midst concerning Jesus.
Their once strong unity in communion, in fellowship is now under attack by internal disagreements about their shared identity.
Aware of these challenges the author of 1 John writes this letter for the soul purpose of preserving Koinonia, fellowship.
In chapter 1:3, he states: We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Fellowship or koinonia, he beliefs is not possible without love. And not that ticklish feeling around the heart that we cannot scratch, but real commitment that is reflected in our lives
and in our relationship. Perfect love is found in unwavering commitment demonstrated by Christ through the Cross.
Christ didn't have to do it, he didn't have to go to the cross. but he didn't anyway because of his commitment to us, because of his love for us. That is love!
As the preacher we invited for our graduation, Rev. Malpica said:
Love is that stubborn unwavering commitment that God has for God's creation.
This is the reason why koinonia exist. This is the reason why the LWF exist, because of the stubborn unwavering commitment we had in 1947 to partnership with God and to one another in the salvific ministry of God in the world. This is love! This reality still hold true today.
If at all we are remain the Lutheran World Federation, a communion of churches, Love as the stubborn unwavering commitment to God and to each other must be at the center of our deliberation, our dialogue and our interactions. With this understanding of what Love is, the writer invites us this morning to enter into a discourse of what Love is not, so that we don't get it twisted.
Two things should not get twisted with love:
1. There is no fear in love. So don't get it twisted Love does not withdraw
2. There is no hate in love. So don't get it twisted Love does not reject a brother or sister nor give less to a brother or sister.
Firstly, There is no fear in love.
The Greek word for fear has two meanings. In relation to God it means reference and respect. For instance: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
However, in relation to a brothers or a sisters fear in this passage means to flee, to be put to flight or to withdraw. This kind of Fear in and of itself never be a part of love, because it stands in total opposition against everything that love is. Love is the unwavering commitment, it does not flee, it doesn't run away from difficulty, it does not withdraw but it remains steadfast, steady and committed to the end. So look here, don't get it twisted. There is no fear in love.
Secondly, There is no hate in love.
The Greek word for hate here doesn't necessary mean wrath for someone but rather it can also be seen as a rejection of another or having less esteem or appreciation of one in comparison to the another. In other words the writer is saying don't get it twisted: we cannot reject a brother or sister and attempt to love God the same time. Because Love embodies the totality of the cross. The total obedience to God and unwavering stubborn commitment to neighbor. It is Love for God and Love for Neighbor.
If we Love God this must be reflected in real unwavering stubborn commitment to one another.
Hate my sisters and brother rejects and give less of self to another, but Love doesn't reject the other and give all for the sake of well being, of fellowship and of relationship.
Just Like Christ did for us one the cross.
Let this poem not be true among us. Love is not a emotion, it does not withdraw. And it does not reject a brother or sister. So, Don't get it twisted. Love is the stubborn unwavering commitment to partnership with God and with each other in God's salvific work in our life's and in the world.
So Brother and sisters, my LWF family in Christ, Let us Love one another. Love one another, as Christ has loved us, So we must love one another.
The Peace of God be always with you.
Amen
This sermon was delivered to the LWF Council in Wittenberg/Germany on Monday, June 20 2016