Disarming Love

3/10/2022

1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all that you do be done in love."

Late last evening, I was watching a Christian show called Life. Two women were talking about how love is disarming. This is, of course, true. Every time we offer love, even in very difficult or highly emotional situations, love changes the mood, and often the outcome. As I was meditating on this today, I realized how easy it is for me to love someone I know, but maybe less so with a stranger. Jesus told us to love not only our neighbors, but also our enemies. Then, hold onto your hats, it came to me that Putin needs love: specifically, he needs the love of Jesus reflected in others. Now, would he accept that love? I do not know, but has it ever been given? Then I started thinking about other people in my own government that frustrate me, people who I tend to judge and not love. Shame on me. Will I ever be in the company of these people? Probably not. Do I pray for them? Sometimes. Do I pray for them earnestly, or is it just a basic "be with all the leaders of the world God" kind? Yes, that latter one is how I often approach that kind of prayer. So, what would happen if we all, every believer, devoted time to pray ardently for Putin, Biden, Trudeau, Jinping, Jong-un, etc.to come to Jesus? Impossible, you may say, but our God is the God of possible. Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said. 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

As God is the author of love, and Jesus Himself put it forth as greater than faith or hope, I think that it is intended to be our ultimate focus regarding others. We often lead with kindness yes, but do we honestly lead with love? Jesus is certainly disarming in many ways throughout the Bible; He loved and forgave sinners, charging them to "sin no more." Did the "righteous" understand this amazing love that Jesus exhibited to others? Probably not. 

In Acts 26:28-29 Paul is defending himself about the accusations that he is blaspheming God by teaching about Jesus. He did this every time he was arrested. Instead of becoming angry and aggressive, he shows disarming love. "Then Agrippa said, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?' Paul replied, 'Short time or long - I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.'" Paul's soul purpose was to declare Jesus as Savior and Lord, even to those who persecuted him, and there were many. 

 Does it ever make sense to love someone that has hurt you or others? No, but it is what we are called to do. Sharing the love of Jesus and the Gospel message may be the only way to that person's true lasting repentance and peace.  Doesn't everyone deserve that most amazing of gifts? Pause here if you are thinking no, because Roman's 3:23 says: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."Although it is, again, difficult to understand, no one is past redemption. 1 John 2:2: "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the world."

Does this mean we will not answer to God for what we have or haven't done here on earth? No, as we will all stand before the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." So we are not to judge others, but love and pray for them in spite of what they do. Is it difficult to do? Indeed, but we can ask for Jesus to help and strengthen our hearts, and to help us reach out in disarming love.