Tag: love

Love Never Fails

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality BlogLeave a comment

“When we ask whether someone is a good man, we are not asking what he believes, or hopes, but what he loves.” St. Augustine

I believe there are few things in life which have sustainability and permanence, things which make the world go ‘round. Love is one of them; maybe even the greatest of them.

Love Language

And yet, in the English language, we really only have one word for “love.” That strikes me as curious and interesting.

I enjoy language and languages, as well as the use and smithing of words. One observation I’ve made about language is that any particular society, culture, or nation has several words for whatever is important or valuable to them.

For example, Indonesia has seven different words for the one English word “rice.” Since rice is so vital to the life of the people, it makes sense that they have several words to bring out all of the various nuances of “rice.”

By contrast, the West simply places adjectives in front of “rice” when needed (i.e. white or brown or jasmine). So, what does it say about us, about me and my fellow Americans, when we have only one word for “love?”

We certainly have plenty of words for “money.” It does little good to even use the word “money” unless one is speaking in very general terms. Americans make liberal use of words like “stocks and bonds,” “cash,” “checking and savings accounts,” etc. We even have several words for institutions which handle money: banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and mutual organizations.

Indeed, what does it say about us that we have a plethora of words for money? What’s more, in contrast to our one word for “love,” what does this tell us about Western society in general?

No wonder that American society has a love problem. Even when we borrow words for love from other languages, we seem to transform it into something else.

The Greek word “phileo” is engrafted into many of our English words such as philosophy (love of wisdom); philanthropy (love of humanity); or Philadelphia (brotherly love).

Often the last thing on our minds about the city of Philadelphia is an association with love; philanthropy is widely understood as being generous with one’s money (there it is again!); and few people think of love when describing philosophy.

Please know that it’s not my purpose to rant about American culture. I just want us to think about how we tend to use the word, and the implications of that use.

Oftentimes, I find that my own understanding of the word tends to be in contrast with so many other uses of “love.”

St. Augustine and Love

I admit to being influenced most heavily by St. Augustine and Holy Scripture. Augustine was enamored with love. That’s likely because he knew what it felt like to be on the outside of God’s redeeming love in Christ. For Augustine, love explains everything. Love is to be our true nature, and the proper direction of everything we say and do in this world, insisted Augustine.

Augustine, of course, derived his understanding from Jesus – especially from the New Testament Gospels:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37-39, NIV

Unless there is love, we go nowhere – which is precisely what seems to be happening in our world today. Apart from love, there are no social problems which can be alleviated; no wars which will stop; and no rights and respect extended to particular people. Without love, peace and happiness are nothing but a pipe dream.

It is imperative that we have a robust understanding and practice of love. If we don’t, I believe that we are ruined, no matter how savvy or powerful we are.

Designed For Love

People are designed for love; it is our very purpose. And if we go against our basic inherent design, it will be like disrespecting gravity itself by walking off the roof of the house in the wrongheaded belief that I won’t get hurt.

Fullness of life (and fullness of any religious practice) comes only through love. In Christianity, it is clearly understood that God is Love with a capital “L.” Thus, we were created in love, stamped with the image of God’s love, and expected to love one another.

Love is so ubiquitous throughout the Bible that listening to a biblical sermon on love every day for the rest of your life would not exhaust love’s height, depth, breadth, and width within Scripture.

It is an understatement to say that love is the goal of religion, the purpose for being, and the best expression of human community.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6, NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14, NIV)

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10)

Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8, NIV)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight… (Philippians 1:9, NIV)

The thing about love is that it can either get choked-out, or it can flourish. Love gets suppressed by attaching ourselves to things rather than people. This is a gross misuse of our capacity for love. A radical detachment from stuff may be necessary in order to gain relational connection.

On the other hand, by learning to direct our love toward God and neighbor (and, by the way, our neighbor is everyone we encounter) we begin to discover the peace of being in sync with the way the universe is wired.

We need salvation from our own worldly self. For it is this false self which the devil can so easily deceive and woo us from attachments to God and neighbor. In other words, we must be saved from ourselves, because left to ourselves, there is no hope for us.

To be lost is to be fooled by my own ego that the false self is the true self. To live and love in God is the essence of the true self.

That means humility, gentleness, peaceful relations, mercy, and purity characterize us. If it doesn’t, we’ve been fooling ourselves by believing that peace can only be achieved through unconditional winning; and that I am not responsible for my neighbor’s welfare and well-being.

Here’s a little test of where you might be in your false self/true self, and in your actual ability to love: The more importance you attach to your own ideas, your own abilities, and your own work, the more you will find yourself building up the very idea of you. This inevitably comes out by condemning other people and becoming judgmental of most things they do. If we are continually critical of others, we have lost sight of love.

The true self, however, recognizes and remembers that I am made in the image and likeness of God; that God is my very reason for existence; and that, therefore, love is my true identity because God is Love.

That’s right. Love is your genuine true character, deep down. The late Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, got it right when he said:

“If I do anything or think anything or say anything or know anything that is not purely for the love of God, it cannot give me peace, or rest, or fulfillment, or joy.” Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation

This is one reason why it’s so important to love my neighbor. Since God’s love is truly within me, hardwired into my very existence, this love can come to you and me from any person, any direction, any time.

Love comes not only directly from God, but also indirectly by means of the jewel of love placed within the other person I am encountering.

For it is only in love that we at last can become real. If we feel unworthy of love, we will probably feel that other persons are not worthy of it either. This is where hate is born, and why it manifests itself so hideously in a politics of hate where large groups of people are simply labeled as “monsters” or “evil.”

But that’s really only a projection of how the person feels about themselves. And the only way out of it for the hateful person is to know that they are loved – irrespective of one’s worth.

If and when we become out of sorts, it is best to come back to love. Which means returning to my first and original love, God; and to the love that I actually have for the people in my family and my life.

Maybe it’s high time we start inventing all sorts of new words for love in the English language. Because, after all is said and done, Love never fails.

The Fruit of the Spirit

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality BlogLeave a comment

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23, CEB)

It takes little effort to have a bad attitude; to slip a bit of gossip into the day; or to go along with the crowd in a divisive conversation. However, it takes a good deal of humility, energy, and commitment in order to live into the fruit of the Spirit.

On the one hand, the believer in Jesus Christ has been graciously given such fruit; we possess it by means of the Spirit. On the other hand, it feels as if we still need this fruit to be given to us, because our daily experience of it is such a struggle.

For me, experiencing the fruit of the Spirit is a bit like buying something from Ikea; I have it, but it needs to be put together. And I’m not so good at making sense of the directions and actually getting the thing in working condition.

Yes, there will be some frustration tapping into our spiritual reservoir and accessing the fruit provided for us. Yet, it’s totally worth it. In fact, the nine elements of spiritual fruit mentioned in the New Testament book of Galatians are experiences people really want to have – whether they are Christian, or not.

One of the reasons folks may become overwhelmed with the Spirit’s fruit is that they look at those nine words as nine different “fruits.” However, the grammar of the text is clearly not plural but singular. In other words, the “fruit” of the Spirit is one packaged piece.

It may be tempting to relieve ourselves of any responsibility or accountability with this fruit by saying, “I’m good at being kind and good, but I really have problems with patience and self-control.”

But the text doesn’t allow for such thinking. To not possess any one of the nine words is to not have the entire nine. The Holy Spirit of God is not divided; when the Spirit gives, it’s the whole kit-and-caboodle.

After all, the believer in Jesus seeks to be a person of integrity and wholeness, being aligned fully in all aspects of life around the person and work of Christ. Any fragmentation belies the reality that one, no matter how apparently peaceful or gentle, is attempting to manifest spiritual fruit on one’s own power.

There is a big difference  between trying to control the process of Christian sanctification (becoming holy) and exercising self-control. And there is an even wider chasm between accessing and using the accepted spiritual fruit, and trying to go on a self-improvement project that is disconnected from God’s given grace.

In truth, believers already have everything they need for life and godliness in this present evil age (2 Peter 1:3). The seed has been firmly planted within the soul. We possess the fruit. Yet, that fruit must grow and mature before it is ripe enough to eat. There is still the work of cultivating and nurturing to do, so that we might flower and flourish.

We only need the essential conditions to grow. Any seed – no matter what kind – will grow and produce a harvest if it has the proper amounts of sun, rain, and good soil. Then, we never need to wonder what will happen; the seed will grow.

As spiritual farmers, we need to be daily working in the field our soul, keeping the weeds and the critters out, so that there is no obstacle or impediment to the growth and maturity of our precious fruit.

If we need to build a fence, we build it. If we must buy or borrow a hoe, we do it. Whatever needs to happen to guard what we possess, we are committed to doing it.

None of us ever produces a seed. Not even in this modern age of genetically modified seeds can we do this. The scientist only manipulates what is already there; he cannot create a seed ex nihilo.

So, we have this tremendous spiritual fruit, graciously given to us by means of God’s Spirit. Perhaps the million dollar question is:

How do I access this grace? How can I realize the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my life?

We have no further to look than to the very words of the Lord Jesus himself:

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. (John 12:24-26, NIV)

We must die to ourselves. There is no other way. Christ demonstrated the way by dying and being placed in the earth. Only then could he rise from death. And only then could his disciples have their faith come to fruition, spreading gospel seed throughout the world.

For one cannot have a resurrection unless there is first a crucifixion. There must be suffering before glory.

That, my friend, is the cost of discipleship. It’s the cost of realizing the spiritual fruit that you and I long for in our lives. This is the struggle we must go through to experience the life that is truly life.

Heavenly Father, in you I live and move and have my being. I humbly pray You so to guide and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that in all cares and occupations of my life I may not forget You, but remember I am ever walking in Your sight, exhibiting Your fruit; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Keep Wisdom Close (Proverbs 7:1-4)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
By Carole Hénaff

My child, keep my words
    and store up my commandments with you;
keep my commandments and live;
    keep my teachings as the apple of your eye;
bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and call insight your intimate friend. (New Revised Standard Version)

Out of all the words I hear come out of people’s mouths in a day, I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say something like “Wisdom is my sister.” Indeed, I would argue that wisdom is in short supply these days.

The thing about wisdom is that many people – if they consider wisdom at all – tend to overemphasize one aspect of it over another. For wisdom to truly be wisdom, there must be both a solid body of knowledge and a practical understanding of how to implement learned information into one’s lived daily experience.

The concept of wisdom is truncated whenever one only focuses on book learning and information; or if one solely homes in on individual practice without any instruction.

A truly wise person has a teachable spirit about them, while at the same time, is willing to take the time necessary for action, and reflection on those actions, doing them again and again with learned and helpful information.

If someone tells you something, without any solid evidence to back up their statements, then you are likely hearing a bunch of foolishness, and not wisdom. What’s more, if they are all words and no action, there’s probably nothing worth listening to.

Without a robust evidence-based understanding of a subject, we become vulnerable to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who comes along and makes claims we’d like to hear. Even if it’s a blatant lie, apart from wisdom, we may suck up the bogus information like the bottom of a chocolate shake.

The presence of wisdom is an invitation for all simpletons to come, learn, and get rid of the simplistic ignorance of small personal opinions. Wisdom gives us a rudder to steer the ship of our life; and a map to provide us with direction.

If we eat at wisdom’s table, we shall fill ourselves with abundant life and satisfaction. Then, we will be able to overlook the baloney sandwich of stupidity for the T-bone steak of knowledge.

Wisdom is very much needed in times of temptation. Therefore, the more we are attentive to attaining a sage life, the more we will be able to withstand temptation’s onslaught when it comes to us.

The Teacher of Proverbs makes it clear that none of this is optional nor some sort of suggested teaching. Our Old Testament lesson for today is adamant that we pay attention to these admonitions. The verb “keep” is an inescapable exhortation.

Keeping the Teacher’s commands near to us, as if they were a close relative, is imperative to successful daily living.

Becoming proficient in the ways of the soul is important because the soul thrives on wisdom. Wisdom is soul food. This means we will attend to the small things which keeps our soul engaged and fed.

Carrying out our ordinary activities with mindfulness and a desire to learn is an artful practice which puts us in a position to soak up the wisdom around us.

The emptiness that so many people complain of comes, in part, from ignoring the small things. It puts wisdom way off of our radar. In other words, things like loneliness, boredom, and dissatisfaction come from ignoring one’s soul. The consequence is that wisdom is kept at a distance, and foolishness is allowed to come in and have run of the house.

What’s more, a life out of balance between introverted reading and extroverted activity puts us off kilter, not knowing what direction we ought to go. In this state, we’ll likely never find God’s will in any given situation.

We know we are growing in wisdom whenever loving another becomes more fulfilling than understanding that person.

If we seek wisdom so that we can be free of complexity, confusion, and all mystery, then we’ll never attain it. Instead, we’ll be the wise guy in the room and not the wise sage. Love will be off our radar, and so, wisdom shall be out of reach.

Developing wisdom is no easy endeavor; it’s hard, and requires steadfast commitment. The difficulty of it typically lies in implementing wise choices. That’s because we will inevitably come to a point where discernment tells us that we must let go of something.

And that something we need to let go is our own petty world that we have created. Only when we have made room can we accept a new world order which revolves around wisdom and doing what we can for the common good of all creation.

O God of love, you are the true sun of the world, evermore risen and never going down: We pray you to shine in our hearts and drive away the darkness of sin and the mist of error. We pray that we may, this day and all our lives long, walk without stumbling in the way you have prepared for us, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.

Trinity Sunday (John 16:12-15)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
Holy Trinity, by Andrei Rubley

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (New Revised Standard Version)

Trinity Sunday is an annual celebration on the Christian Calendar which focuses intentionally on the mystery, power, and beauty of the triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit. All three persons of the Holy Trinity exist together in eternal love, harmony, and unity with each other as one God.

This day is much more than a doctrinal and theological affirmation. It is a reminder that our theological impulses are to have movement toward union with this triune God, to participate in the Divine dance of the Trinity.

The Christian life is oriented toward the Trinity. Christianity is a path, a road, a journey with God. It is a pilgrimage of the soul that demands our time, effort, and courage.

In other words, we are meant to experience God as Father, Son, and Spirit, rather than merely acknowledging the Trinity. Not only are we to know God; we are designed to feel at the core of our being the existential presence of God. What’s more, the Holy Trinity participates within the Godhead to help make that happen within us.

The Trinity we see in the Gospel of John is a presentation of God’s love for us. A gracious window is opened to the mystery of the one God in three persons. This allows us to see and feel that this trinitarian love holds us in a Divine embrace.

In Christ’s Farewell Discourse (John chapters 13-17) love is the dominant theme. Love is what Jesus wanted to leave with his disciples, and to remind them that all things are to be said and done with love. Christ promised the giving of the Spirit as a gift of love, so that we will learn to love ourselves and others.

There is eternal love, unity, and harmony continually flowing from the Father who sent the Son for us and for our deliverance, and from the Spirit who dwells with us in an abiding presence of love. Together the Father, Son, and Spirit develops us as lovers, loving the world just as God does.

The heavenly Father holds us in love so that we will hold the world in love.

Jesus the Son comes among us and reassures us of Divine love so that we will bring love to the world.

The Spirit guides us into the truth of love so that we will display love for one another in front of the world.

As Christians bravely, patiently, and calmly walk the road of the Christian life, they grow more and more in love with God, and therefore, more in love with the world that God loves so much.

There is an interaction between the Father and the Son marked by truth and love. Jesus graciously invites the believer into this conversation. In addition, the Spirit instructs us so that our speech and behavior will emulate the love which always takes place within the Trinity.

The reality of the Holy Trinity helps us experience and feel that God is for us; God is with us; and God is in us.

Sometimes we get hung up on the timing of things. We want what we want now. We don’t understand why God isn’t coming to our rescue. We wonder if God is even around because of this crud-encrusted planet we live on with all of its natural disasters and human destruction.

Yet, let’s keep in mind that the triune God has forever existed. God is constant. Father, Son, and Spirit are continually working in the immediacy of the now. We have been offered Living Water, but the water pouring forth now is not the same as what came before and what is to come – just as the water in a river flows by us, having come from somewhere downstream, and going somewhere else.

Time is irrelevant. All we have is the now. When we hold on to the past and/or have anxiety about the future, we are failing to live in the present. And in this very moment, the triune God is present with you, is in you, and is for you. Live in the now, and not so much in the has been and the not yet.

God only becomes real to us when I am. Then, the great “I AM” is able to dwell with the little “I am” of me in the present tense of now.

Because God is God, there will always be a mystery, because trying to understand the Holy Trinity – the great Three in One – shall forever elude us. We have not been called to understand God; we are called right now to submit to the unfolding of what God wants to reveal to us.

The triune God has shown us that within the Trinity there exists perfect love, harmonious unity, infinite beauty, and great goodness. As people created in the image of this God, we have the capacity to pursue these very same qualities. With God’s enablement, we can be a source of light and hope to a world which needs an experience of Divine love and truth.

God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the triune God: the Author of creation; the eternal Word of salvation; and the life-giving Spirit of wisdom.

Guide us, O God, to all truth by your Spirit, so that we may proclaim all that Christ revealed and rejoice in the glory he shared with us. Glory and praise to you – Father, Son, and Spirit – now and forever. Amen.