Tag Archives: Love

The Love of G*d, the Love of Christ who commands us to love one another

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 19, 2016
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A New Command — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

January 19, 2016

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34

When Jesus said that he was giving us a New Commandment, he was not really talking about something “new”. Love had always been around. Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, for he loved her very much. (Genesis 29:20) And of course, there is the love verses from 1 Corinthians 13. Love is mentioned approximately 130 times in the Old Testament and approximately 180 times in the New Testament. And love is not just a part of Christianity, but love is a part of many religions of the world. As you read the bible, notice how often love is mentioned.

The new commandment that Jesus gives to the disciples is a “new” kind of love. It is not a vague and general love that many people feel for each other. It is a deep, selfless, sacrificial love that few are capable of showing all of the time.
Of course Jesus is trying to show his disciples how this kind of love can be lived out in their lives. He especially demonstrates it in the Upper Room where he stoops to wash the feet of his disciples. So, the love that Jesus is talking about, selfless love, putting others first, not parsing out love based on class or gender, is a love that the world, that hadn’t been seen before. This is why Jesus is able to call it a “new” command. And people who follow Jesus should be identified for their love because it will be seen as a different kind of love – one the world just does not understand. This new, self-sacrificing love will set the disciples and us apart from everyone else. They will know that we are Christians by our love.

This New Year, can you recognize the need for a love that is commanded by Jesus? Keep an eye out for love in the bible, and especially keep an eye out for ways that you can express that kind of love in your family, community, and the world.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on December 14, 2015
Tags: Love   

Love Conquers All — David J. Schreffler

Image result for pictures of loving those who hate you                                          December 14, 2015

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Revelation 2:1 – 5

“I once heard a man, then a young professor, tell of being on a plane on the late sixties and finding himself sitting next to Dr. Martin Luther King. He introduced himself to Dr. King and, as their journey progressed, he revealed to Dr. King that he was active in the Civil Rights struggle on his own campus. Because of his work in the racial struggle, he had become alienated from his father. He told Dr. King how his father could not understand him and how they had grown apart. Dr. King put his hand on the angry young man’s hand and said, “You father is doing the best he can. As a Christian you must be patient with him and love him.” Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 – 1968) As told by William H. Willimon in Pulpit Resource, Vol. 23, No. 7, “For All The Saints” volume III, (p. 54 -55)

Do you believe that your Lord does not know your toils and your works, your struggles, and your failures? We are told again and again that it is not our works that save us, but that does not mean that our work for the sake of the Gospel is in vain. We either believe that G-d is ever-present, or that G-d is aloof and un-concerned.

The Lord tells the angel in the church in Ephesus that their toils and concerns are all known by G-d. But the Lord also knows they have abandoned the love they first had. This is the problem with trials and tribulations, they can rip the love we have for each other right out of our hearts. Nothing destroys love for each other more than constant struggles and persecutions. The young man says to Dr. King that his relationship with his father is estranged because they do not agree on how to respond to racism and the Civil Rights campaign. In the midst of disagreement and argument, love is replaced with hurt and anger.

Nothing is harder than to love those who hate you, who disagree with you, or who openly persecute you. But remember, evil does not know what to do with love. The greatest between the spiritual gifts of faith, hope and love is neither faith nor hope – it is love. All three are necessary – but love conquers all things.

Pastor Dave