To Love is Enough
Quick note, I have been sick (you can tell by my voice on the audio), thought it is not COVID (i got tested the day before I preached this message) it does affect my ability to get work done. Sadly this post is not complete, but I hope you find it helpful. The audio is more complete than the blog post so I strongly recommend you listen to the audio.
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. ”
Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the word hesed is almost untranslatable. Sometimes it is translated as “loyalty” (2 Sm 22:26 RSV), more often “steadfast love” (Gn 39:21) or “kindness” (Gn 24:12). The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible describes it as this unshakable, steadfast love of God.
Hesed is not an emotional response to beauty, merit, or kindness, but a moral attitude dedicated to another’s good, whether or not that other is lovable, worthy, or responsive (see Dt 7:7–9).
- White, R. E. O. (1988). Love. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1357). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
I believe this understanding of love is a great challenge to the shallow emotional fleeting “love” that we often see portrayed and described especially in western media. The love of God is an enduring loyalty, rooted in an unswerving purpose of good. Sometimes God’s love can be stern, determined to discipline a wayward people, just look at the ministry of the Old Testament prophets.
God’s love does not change. When we look at the history of God’s people we see that through exile and failure it persisted with infinite patience, neither condoning evil nor abandoning the evildoers. It has within it kindness, tenderness, and compassion (Pss 86:15; 103:1–18; 136; Hos 11:1–4), but its chief characteristic is an accepted moral obligation for another’s welfare, which no ill-desert or want of gratitude will quench. (White, R. E. O. (1988). Love. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1357). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
New Testament
In the New Testament, the most frequent word used for love by far is agapē. Agape is generally assumed to mean moral goodwill which proceeds from esteem, principle, or duty, rather than attraction or charm. Agapē means to love the undeserving, despite disappointment and rejection.
In our sinful and suffering world, God’s love reveals itself supremely in compassion and healing for the distressed and in redemptive concern for the alienated and the self-despairing. It is no wonder that the proclamation of the kingdom of Christ offers good news to the poor, to captives, the blind, the oppressed (Mt 11:2–5; Lk 4:18)
The Love Obligation
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
- Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV
Christ’s love is no timid meekness, no sentimental mildness, inoffensive and ineffectual, helpless in face of the world’s evil. It is a strong determination to seek others’ highest good in all circumstances, at any cost. On that simple but demanding principle hang all moral obligation and divine law. To love is enough. (White, R. E. O. (1988). Love. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1358). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2.
- The Desire of Ages p22
Sadly this post is not complete, but I hope you find it helpful. The audio is more complete than the blog post so I strongly recommend you listen to the audio.
