THE ABSENCE OF LOVE IS NO LIGHT AT ALL

 

We are one month into our new theme/motto for the year, “BE THE LIGHT!” We have examined Matthew 5:14-16 and embraced the words of Jesus, “to not hide but to be light in a dark world.” It seems every time we tune into the news we see more evidence of “darkness” in our world. Allow me to be clear, darkness is not something new. It has appeared in many forms throughout history.

Even as I pen these words, the world is commemorating the darkest time in its existence with the observance of International Holocaust Day. There were six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. Lives were forever changed because hatred prevailed over love. As these words permeate my mind, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” I can’t help but think, the only thing necessary to triumph over evil is LOVE. God calls us to love our neighbor. If we are going to be the light in a world filled with hate, evil, violence and darkness, we must do everything possible to eradicate hate in our own hearts and then love others like Jesus loved.

The apostle John writes in 1 John 2: 7-11,

^“7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing, and the true light is already shining.⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Clearly John conveys to the reader an important message about being in the light. If you hate, you are still in darkness. If you love, you live in the light. The light is Jesus who showed us how to love unconditionally. We do not create the light, we simply reflect His light and love to those in darkness.

The differences between love and hate are not difficult to see because they are absolute opposites. Hate creates division where love creates unity. Hate exploits differences and fosters uniformity where love elevates those same differences and recognizes diversity. Hate is concerned with a “what’s in it for me mentality,” where love reflects a “concern for others above myself.” Hate focuses on the negative, when love focuses on the positive. My list could go on and on but I think you get the picture.

Take time to read 1 Corinthians 13 and reflect upon all the ways Paul describes love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth etc.”

Hate is the opposite. It is impatient, unkind, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, angered, revengeful, spiteful and delights in evil. It would not be a stretch to say that it is much easier to hate than to love. Love requires selflessness, sacrifice, forgiveness, provision and protection. Love takes care of the other person instead of trying to tear them down. Love requires work. Throughout the bible we are shown what perfect love is. While the world cheapens love and only makes it available to those who are considered worthy. The type of Love God calls us to share as we are in the light goes far beyond.

As we think about being light, we need to examine and evaluate our own hearts. Can our hearts be hardened by the world, people, and the experiences of life? I would say absolutely and definitively, yes. But does our God also soften and heal our hearts so we can experience His love and then love others in the same way? Yes. May I suggest our ability to love is dependent upon the knowledge and experience of God’s love for us. And if we hate, the love of God is not in us. So, check your love tank, check your level of hate, Be filled with God’s love so you can be love and be light to your family, your friends, your co-workers, your classmates, and your community. And remember this, the absence of love is no light at all!

Shine His Love in 2023,

Pastor Kevin