When
God’s love is present in a group of Jesus-followers, it is a wonderful thing.
There is a unity of purpose without uniformity. We can have disagreements
without being disagreeable. There is a sense of fulfillment without
complacency. But this is a rare thing in our world.
Our
text could give you the impression that there is something lacking in God’s
love, that Jesus love didn’t do everything that was needed, that we need to
love each other to make God’s love complete. Nothing could be further from the
truth. His love is complete, not lacking anything. But in order for that love
to fulfill its complete mission, love must be demonstrated in the lives of
those who believe in Jesus. When we love each other it is a sign of maturity.
We are then fulfilling God’s design for spreading His Good News.
But
all too often we allow other things to hinder this expression of love. Or we
show a weak and imperfect love. We love on our terms rather than on His. We
carefully box our love up and send it only to those who are like us. Or we
limit the expression of His love to only a few moments during the week rather
than having an ongoing connection to each other and to Him.
When
we are loving the way He designed us to love, living in vital connection with
Him and with each other, then Judgment Day holds no fear in our lives. When
love is present, then we have confidence about our eternal position in Him. We
walk in forgiveness and experience and pass along grace. Our lives become a
fragrance of the LORD. People experience God’s presence when they are in our
presence. Our lives draw them in close to Him.
But
our life can also bring conviction. Sometimes people will see the love we have
for each other and react to it because of their own dark hearts. Their deeds
are evil, and the light that shines through us illuminates their hearts, and
they react to that illumination.
This
kind of live is not the puppy love or the Junior High School crush kind of
love. This love seeks what is best for the other person, regardless of the
impact on us. Love like this is other focused, not self focused. That is why we
have confidence when thinking about heaven. Our lives reflect the life of
Jesus.