[07/26/2023 “teEn-MAIL”]
As we noted yesterday, love is to be foundational to our life, but that love must rest on the right foundation. Love matters, but a matter of love is that it is to be generously offered while Divinely guided.
We have been called to love. Love is an aspect of the very essence of God. (1 John 4:8) Therefore, being loved by God we also ought to love. (1 John 4:11) And as God demonstrated His love for the world through the sending of His Son (John 3:16) our love is also to be broadly directed, which includes those who even stand against us. (i.e. Matthew 5:44) However, we must also bear in mind the Scriptures tell us there are some things God hates! (i.e. Proverbs 6:16-19) As love is broadly directed toward all, that does not mean it is accepting of all activity.
As Paul was opening his letter to Christians at Philippi, he stated. . .
“(9) And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (10) so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)
As Paul urged growing in love, that love was to be associated with “knowledge and all discernment” and an urging of approving “what is excellent” with a focus toward purity and blamelessness. That is to imply there is that which is not excellent, that which is impure, and that which is with fault. We need to look to what God has acknowledged as sin, repent of it (change the direction) in our own life, and lovingly urge others to do the same. This is not an act of judging, but discernment between the fruit of righteousness and unrighteousness based on what God has revealed through His Word.
Many like to reference the encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:3-11) as a sign of acceptance. However, the account clearly reveals though Jesus did not condemn her, neither did He condone her sin but rather directed her away from it. (John 8:11) To identify sin and direct from it is not hate, but is a sign of godly love which truly desires what is best — excellent — for others. When it comes to discernment in life, may we always remember God’s Way remains the more excellent way!
Have a great day BEING LOVING WHILE LOVING WHAT GOD LOVES!
Carl
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(“teEn-MAIL” is sent out daily by Carl Hanson, preacher for the Church of Christ in Port Townsend, Washington, USA, located at 230 A Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Come visit us if in the area.)
