Pilot Knob Lutheran What is Love? 8/2/2023
“What this world needs more of is love. If people would just be more loving. There is too much hate in our world, a little love would go a long way.” Do you hear comments like this? This begs the question, what is love? Is it giving someone your approval? For example; “if you really love me you will approve of what I do.” Is that true? If your parents approved of everything you wanted to do at age twelve, would that be loving? Of course not! Sometimes we need to stand in the way of evil, and harmful decisions. Love does not mean approval of all behaviors or ideas; that is our cultures definition.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. How can we do these things; how can we protect and rejoice in truth? One way is to stand in the way of evil, misguided judgments regardless of one’s response. Of course, some will object we are judging them. To shed truth upon one’s behavior or beliefs is not to judge the person, but their actions and thoughts. These must be evaluated by all of us against the divine and eternal standard of truth. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourself. Do you purposely believe lies or engage in behaviors or a lifestyle that is contrary to the natural order that would bring harm to yourself? Of course not! I believe most people want to know truth live by it. Jesus was quoting Leviticus 19:18b however, read what comes before it: Vs 19b Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. We are to rebuke our neighbor so we are not guilty of his crime. In other words, if you know your ‘neighbor’ is about to or wants to do evil, rebuke him so he will hopefully not carryout his evil or immoral behavior. Love does not mean approval; it can’t acquiesce immoral or evil behavior.
Dr. Thomas Soul has said: “When you want to help someone you tell them the truth; when you want to help yourself you tell them what they want to hear.” Jesus never told people what they wanted to hear, only what they needed to hear. That is love.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
August 6, 9:00 AM Morning worship and Holy Communion. Sermon: 1 Samuel 1. I Want a Son.
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Sermons may be heard on KIOW 107.3 FM Sunday mornings at 7:00. Spread the word. If you would like to support this outreach with a contribution, it costs $55 each week.
