The greatest of these

Tomorrow marks the 51st anniversary of the tragic assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.  April 4th, 1968 was unfortunately only one of many days that we have seen evil and hatred wreak havoc on our world, and every time it happens I believe that God weeps in Heaven for the people he loves so much that he gave himself for them.

My wife and I were out on a run this morning before work, discussing how faith changes everything in our perspective of the world.  When we choose to live by faith, we find courage to face the day, the struggles, all the pain and defeat we experience, and know we have a loving God watching over us through it all.  Our hearts become ruled by peace and hope rather than fear and despair.  Then my wife pointed out something interesting.  The bible tells us, “these three remain; faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love”.  It seems that in a religious context, faith would be considered the greatest but our God is not the “religious” type.  He is radical, courageous, defiant.  He is love.

Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, and his answer was certainly not what religious people would expect.  People would likely expect words like righteous, holy, sacred, or faith.  Jesus says love.  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…..and love your neighbor as yourself.”  He goes on to say that these aren’t just good suggestions or even part of the law of God, but, “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets”.  Everything is dependent on love.  How is it that we miss this while we strive to succeed, to get ahead, to be faithful and good and to work hard, but we miss the simple, raw, elemental aspect of God?  He is love.

Ask God to reveal the depths of his great love for you.  As you begin to understand his amazing, relentless love and the gracious forgiveness he has shown to you, that same love, by the power of God’s spirit will work in you as well.  He who has been forgiven much, loves much.  We have indeed been forgiven much, so let us learn to love much and see the love of God transform us, the people around us, and the entire world.