Tag: loving god

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.

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality BlogLeave a comment

Someday when I am dead and buried, I would be fine with my gravestone stating, “He was humble and wise.” For I have always sought (however imperfectly) to embrace and live a life characterized by poverty of spirit, largeness of heart, and a sage mind.

Yet, most of all, I’d like to be remembered by the phrase, “He loved God.” The Great Command of Jesus to love God and each other is something I pray and seek in my daily life. And I hope that at the end of my earthly life, the love of God within me has made the world a better place.

In saying this, it means I forsake a lot of other ambitions to be remembered by. I don’t really care if I am remembered for any other virtues or abilities other than love, humility, and wisdom.

For the times that I have unknowingly pursued other things above what is of concern to my Lord Jesus, I admit and renounce those things. Because that is what humility and love does. And it’s the wisest thing a person could do.

That is in direct contrast and opposition to worldly ambitions for wealth and financial resources, power and authority, attention and greatness. Such desires arise from pride, not humility. With arrogance, ignorance and hate are not far behind.

Things like love, humility, wisdom, mercy, gentleness, righteousness, justice, goodness, and a largesse which comes from the heart, not the bank account, are what characterize the kingdom of God, and not the political realms and economic powers of this world.

Such virtue is itself the good life. And it is not out of touch for any of us. For Christ himself repeatedly told and reminded his disciples that the kingdom of God is near, so near as to be within us.

“The time has come, and God’s kingdom is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News.” (Mark 1:15, God’s Word Translation)

“The Kingdom of God is near you now.” (Luke 10:9, New Living Translation)

And we are told to make God’s kingdom a priority. We are to humble ourselves before God and seek the reign of God and the values of how God operates, rather than putting all our equity into material possessions.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (material resources) will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, New International Version)

The super-rich of this world have a super difficult time ever humbling themselves to anyone, including God, because they can so easily rely upon their vast earthly resources.

“Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24, New Revised Standard Version)

God’s kingdom is not something that is so far out of touch for us, or way out there somewhere, as if we could not, and therefore need not, pay much attention to it. No, it is much closer than any of us realize.

“People can’t observe the coming of God’s kingdom. They can’t say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ You see, God’s kingdom is within  you.” (Luke 17:20-21, God’s Word Translation)

You and I have the light within us. For some people (maybe most people) this light has diminished to a tiny little flame or spark. They themselves either cannot or will not perceive there is something right and good that exists down deep in this soul created in the image and likeness of God.

Phrases such as “Let us rely upon our better angels,” and “Get in touch with our nobler instincts,” are more modern ways of expressing that there is inherent worth within us that we can tap into. It doesn’t even take a Christian or a religious person to recognize this reality.

We really do have a higher self, a conscience containing a moral compass, a given benevolent nature, altruistic impulses, and a compassionate side to us. Will we seek this part of ourselves? Will we tap into it? Will we allow it to come out into the world in order to bless it, not curse it?

Yet, as we know all too well, we also a have within us a depraved part which wants to rule over others and acquire as much wealth and power as possible. As with most things, we ourselves are a paradoxical conundrum of competing desires.

How do you want to be remembered? We can pursue the kingdom of God within us, or we can seek the kingdoms of this world outside of us. It’s your choice. But you will need help, if going after such things as humility, wisdom, and love as your way of life – not only help from God, but also help from others.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone? Or if the child asked for a fish, would give a snake? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:7-12, New Revised Standard Version)

What is true of you, that you would like engraved on your gravestone? How do you want to be remembered? That’s what we need in this world, for this time and for this place.

You Are Not Far From the Kingdom of God (Mark 12:28-34)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 

Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. (New Revised Standard Version)

Jewish religious leaders in the New Testament Gospels – high priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, the Sanhedrin – are typically portrayed in a negative light as opponents of Jesus. However, there are religious leaders in the Gospel accounts who genuinely engage Jesus, and are favorable to him.

Today’s Gospel lesson provides us with a wonderful conversation between Jesus and a scribe (that is, a professional handwriting copier of the Scriptures). This particular scribe is not mentioned by name.

The scribe was impressed by what he heard from Jesus. So, the man presented a question to him. The difference between this scribe and the other religious leaders is that the scribe asked a totally sincere question, with no alternative agenda to entrap Jesus. The guy just wanted to learn from him.

The Old Testament law contains 613 commands. Given the reality of so many instructions, which ones are priority? Are there commands which control other commands? What is the best way to look at the hundreds of divine instructions? The scribe’s question was really designed to discover how to best obey the law and be faithful to God.

There was no pondering or hesitation on Christ’s response. He went right to a foundational text for Jews. The passage serves as both a prayer and a succinct affirmation of faith:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-5, NRSV

Yahweh is honored in this Scripture as the one true God. As such, Israel has an obligation to love and obey God. For Jesus, this is the cornerstone of faith and worship.

But that’s not all. Jesus provided a second commandment, on the same level of importance as the first:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Leviticus 19:18b, NRSV

I find it interesting that Jesus did not simply assume that everyone would understand that to love God is to love your neighbor. Christ intentionally gave the second command equal billing with the first.

To make it especially clear, Jesus emphasized that these two commands to love God and neighbor are the greatest commandments of all. In other words, every single command of Holy Scripture is tied to these two basic commands.

Indeed, the Ten Commandments are connected to them. The first four commands (you shall have no other gods; you shall not make yourself an idol and bow down to it; you shall not make wrongful use of God’s name; and remember the Sabbath) all have to do with loving God.

The next six commands (honor your father and mother; you shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not covet) all concern how to be loving to your neighbor.

Jesus intends for pious people to be concerned not only with their relation to God, but also with other people. Religious practices, for Jesus, must not only include devotion directed to God, but also commitments to the common good of all persons.

In order to truly love God, one must also love neighbor. The two are inextricably bound together.

Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20, NRSV)

To the scribe’s credit, he affirmed the answer from Jesus concerning the commandments. And on top of this, the scribe added a beautiful paraphrasing of God’s law: The command to love God and neighbor “is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

This scribe was talking Christ’s language. Jesus delighted in his words. He commended and encouraged the man by saying, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Christ’s statement is a positive one, not negative. Jesus was not trying to say that the scribe wasn’t yet in the kingdom, or that he needed to do more. He was affirming the scribe, and encouraging him with the reality that God’s kingdom is so close to us, that we can reach out and put our hand into it.

The kingdom of God is like a whole other world which can be found by some children in the back of a wardrobe; or like a different dimension beyond our three dimensional world. In other words, God’s kingdom is right here, right in front of our faces. The kingdom is here. It’s just a matter of whether we discern it’s presence, or not.

Jesus was right smack in front of the scribe. He could have literally reached out and touched Jesus. The man asked a good sincere question of Jesus, and got a good sincere answer. In addition, the man evidenced a good understanding of the spirit of God’s law.

I believe that Christ’s response concerning the kingdom to the scribe, opened his eyes to that otherworldly dimension:

Jesus is the logical and expected end of every search, and the answer to every question. The kingdom of God is among you.

Our Father in heaven,
    may your name be revered as holy.
    May your kingdom come.
    May your will be done
        on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

A Spiritual Wedding (Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

My thoughts are filled
with beautiful words
    for the king,
and I will use my voice
as a writer would use
    pen and ink.

No one is as handsome as you!
    Your words are always kind.
That is why God
    will always bless you…

You are God, and you will rule
    forever as king.
Your royal power
    brings about justice.
You love justice and hate evil.
    And so, your God chose you
and made you happier
    than any of your friends.
The sweet aroma of the spices
myrrh, aloes, and cassia
    covers your royal robes.
You enjoy the music of harps
in palaces decorated
    with ivory.
Daughters of kings are here,
and your bride stands
    at your right side,
wearing a wedding gown
    trimmed with pure gold. (Contemporary English Version)

A Royal Wedding?

Today’s psalm is a love song meant to be used for a wedding. Whether it was designed only for royal weddings, or for ordinary couples to be a king and queen for a day, the psalm’s overall challenge is for the groom to exercise a right use of power.

Back in biblical times, within a patriarchal society, men held the power and authority within every aspect of the culture, especially in the family.

If the psalm is meant for only royal weddings, it communicates that, in effect, the king has been placed on the throne by God, and acts as God’s extension of justice and righteousness to the people.

And if the psalm is intended for any leader, or anyone who possesses power and authority, then being in such a position requires great responsibility. Power is to be wielded for good, with an eye toward doing what is just and right for all of the people in which the leader exercises authority over.

So, whether one is in a hierarchical or an egalitarian structure, all persons in authority are to give themselves to being faithful.

Symbolism and Allegory

There is a symbolic and allegorical aspect to the psalm. Just as the royal robe or wedding clothes of the groom emit sweet aromatic spices, so the leader who loves justice and acts with integrity is pleasing to all those under their authority.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16, NIV)

Those in responsible positions – and those sharing authority with one another – are to do what is life-giving for people; and not do things which are death-dealing. Promoting connection and being encouraging are vital. Causing division and being critical are destroyers of people’s welfare.

The psalmist praises a king who loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Such a ruler defends the cause of truth and upholds justice. These are ideals which have a pertinent message for public servants in every age.

Christ the Bridegroom, and the Church as Bride

For most of church history, Christian interpreters took a committed Christ-centered approach to the psalm. They saw Jesus as the beautiful king who reigns in justice and righteousness, faithfully ruling the people.

Through this view, every psalm, in some way, points to Jesus. In Psalm 45, the wedding poem directs believers to the coming wedding of Christ and the Church. The king is Jesus, who is worthy of praise and adoration. The bride is Christ’s Church.

Whether one discerns the psalm as literal or allegorical, the Christian understands that Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises. So, in that sense, everything in Holy Scripture – including the Old Testament and all of the Psalms – have to do with Christ.

All good earthly kings, rulers, and leaders hold an office which points forward to Christ, who rules over a kingdom to end all kingdoms. In looking at Psalm 45, the author of the New Testament Book of Hebrews takes such a view, since he looks back to this very psalm in speaking about Jesus:

But about the Son he [God] says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (Hebrews 1:8-9, NIV)

The Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) stated the reason we know the Psalm is about Jesus, because neither Jew nor Gentile talks this way about any human king – therefore, it is a reference to Messiah.

From St. Augustine to Martin Luther, scholars and interpreters saw in Psalm 45 a praise to Christ, who is the betrothed king.

The psalm’s celebration exalts the union of Christ and the Church. The song of love anticipates the great wedding feast at the end of the age, sung in honor of Jesus the bridegroom and the Church as the bride of Christ.

Weddings Are About Love

The psalmist unabashedly loves the king, and wants everyone to know it. Indeed, it is love which makes life worth living. It’s love that animates our words and actions. Apart from love, we are lost and lonely – languishing without an object of love to orient life around.

An affectionate love for Jesus Christ drives the Christian to live into goodness, justice, and righteousness. And we become what we love – which is why Christianity has the power to change the world for the better (and not in the weird sense of trying to conquer the world through politics and Christendom).

Such love elicits praise and adoration. Love brings about God’s good purposes. And God is determined to bring a spouse for his Son.

“God created the world to provide a spouse and a kingdom for His Son: and the setting up of the kingdom of Christ, and the spiritual marriage of the spouse to Him, is what the whole creation labors and travails in pain to bring to pass.” Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

It is far too easy for one’s love to fade in the Christian life. Living an ethical life, and maintaining doctrinal purity, may be kept up; and yet, it all can be done without love behind it.

Jesus said to the Church at Ephesus:

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:2-4, NIV)

Let’s allow today’s Psalm to evoke and stir up our love for God by reminding us of God’s great love for us in Christ, and the love we have, or once had, for Jesus.

Let us see what great lengths God went to love us through Christ. And let us retain and maintain the joyous passion of life with God in Christ, by means of the Spirit.

Amen.