DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR?

The second most important commandment is like it: "Love your  neighbor as you love yourself."  Matt. 22:39, T.E.V.


What do you think would happen if all of us really did love our neighbors just as much, and in the same way, as we love ourselves?  How would we act toward each other?  Would we really take care to meet each other's needs?

Perhaps it would be useful to consider how most of us do love ourselves.  At times it seems we border on a national epidemic of self-destruction, the way we badger ourselves with alcohol and drugs, overeating, lack of exercise, stress, loss of sleep, and a polluted environment.  We take headache pills, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and mood brighteners literally by the tons.  We dull our minds with loud music, raunchy videos, and escapist games.

Though we are careful to defend ourselves, protect ourselves, and even lash out at others who might fault us, there is much evidence that we really aren't very fond of ourselves.  Most of us are not enthralled with our weight, the color of our hair, or the shape of our nose.  We are unsatisfied with our personalities, our style, and our personal past history.  Our conversations reveal insecurities and self-put-downs.

How wise it was of Jesus that He should list loving our neighbors as ourselves as the second great commandment rather than the first.  It is a fact that we cannot love ourselves until we first come into a loving relationship with our Father.  Until we begin to absorb the truth of how God views us, we will continue to hold a very dim view of ourselves.  In the light of the cross, we see the preciously high regard that He has placed upon us.  And unless we want to argue that our opinion of ourselves is more accurate than that of the Creator, we have to accept that gracious message.

To see ourselves as persons created in the image of God, destined for fellowship with Him throughout eternity, is precisely how Jesus said we should see our neighbors.  To love and care about all humanity is to include ourselves in that class.  When Jesus said that we should forgive our enemies, we should consider whether we are holding any grudges against ourselves.  Then we shall be set free from self-absorption to really care about others--and that most powerfully reflects the kind of love that Jesus expresses toward us.

FEAR MOTIVATES, BUT...

They put the altar in place first, because they lived in fear of the foreign population.  Ezra 3:3, N.E.B.

It was the year America discovered that the Russians were placing nuclear missiles in Cuba.  As a college student, I was a member of a large institutional church where a tiny percentage of the members showed up for the Wednesday night prayer meetings.  President Kennedy told the Russians to take the missiles back home, "or else..."  We all seemed to know what the "or else" meant, and we sensed that we were tethering on the very brink of that final nuclear death throe that could leave the world a poisoned cinder in about forty minutes.

Prayer meeting experienced a 600 percent increase.  Voluntary prayer bands formed all around campus, morning and evening.  Conversation at the cafeteria tables became serious and very spiritual.  The finest evangelist could not have worked a more sweeping revival.

And then the Russians took their missiles home.  Everyone breathed easier, and life returned to normal.  The busy routine crowded out the prayer bands.  Football scores became vital table talk, and prayer meeting was once again attended by the faithful few.

Religion always seems to prosper in times of crisis.  But the fact that its propensity is so often short-lived raises questions about its genuineness.  It is true that fear is a great motivator, but it is a very poor teacher.  It moves people to action, but it fails to provide deep meaning and direction to that action.  Fear drives many people to Christ, much as a fire drives people to a fire escape; but it fails to provide enduring reasons for people to stay with Christ.

The Jewish exiles, returning with Ezra to rebuild Jerusalem, were a frightened band.  With an eye on the feisty local population, they hastened to build their sacrificial altar so that they might plead with God for safety.  Morning and evening they brought their sacrifices, remembering their many years of having neglected these services prior to being taken captive.  The situation had all the earmarks of a genuine religious revival.

But the years that followed revealed that the people had not been taught by their fears.  Though they continued with great diligence to practice their religious forms, these became empty rituals, revealing no true knowledge of the character of the God they were worshiping.  True faith is based not upon escape from the enemy's arrows or bombs, but upon an admiration for God because of who He is.

"I NEVER DISOBEYED"

He answered his father, "Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends."  Luke 15:29, R.S.V.

What a pathetic sight!  With sweat pouring down his cheeks from walking behind the oxen across a large field in the hot sun, a middle-aged man reports to his father that he has been doing this virtually every day for a lifetime, in order to gain a few rewards from his father--only to hear his father say, "Son, everything that I have is yours already!"

On the face of it, one could say, "Think of all that wasted effort--the years of plowing and planting and harvesting in the hot sun and reluctant soil--when he didn't need to.  He already had the goods!"

But the real tragedy goes even deeper.  Think of that son living on his father's estate all those years, and still thinking that his father shared his blessings only with those who merited them!  Our mind pictures that older brother dutifully punching the time clock, grumbling under his breath about every moment of overtime, sullenly wishing that the "old man would kick off" so that he could rightfully inherit the estate.  We watch him flash with rage as he recalls the father giving half the estate to that scoundrel brother who didn't play by the rules.  He resents the homecoming celebration barbecue since it will deplete his inheritance by one goat.

The older brother's motives are so utterly narrow and petty that Jesus does not need to belabor that point.  Instead, He turns (as always) to portray the Father.  Even though he has every right to do a blistering expose of his son's smallness, the father simply speaks gentle words of reassurance.  He does not begrudge his son's anger.  Amazingly, he reassures him that the wealth of the estate is already his!

I freely confess that this brings me a great comfort.  When I recall how often I have resented God for passing by all my hard work to let His grace flow on one I regard as unworthy, through my embarrassment I hear the Father's voice.  He does not take issue with my claim never to have disobeyed, though He could.  He doesn't let me pick a fight about the hours on my time card, though He knows it is irrelevant.  He simply says, "Join your younger brother, and come home to your Father's heart."

GOD IS FOR US

In face of all this, what is there left to say?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Rom. 8:31, Phillips.


She had come for counseling, as do many students in their later adolescent years, because of troublesome home problems.  I asked her about her feelings toward her father.  "Oh, I love him," she quickly replied.  Yet, as our conversation continued, I sensed that the word love wasn't adequate to describe the mixed bundle of feelings she held toward her father.  Along with love, there were strong feelings of fear, of extreme apprehension lest she should fail to live up to his expectations and have to face his blistering rebukes.  She assumed that since he was her father he had a right to act that way toward her.  It was all part of the package.

In a similar vein, there are men who will quickly confess that they love God.  Who could say otherwise, in view of all that He has done for us?  Many of us have been singing songs about our love for God (or at least for Jesus) since we could first talk.  Yet there is often, lurking below the surface in our hearts, a strong mixture of feelings toward God.  The feelings of dread in the presence of such holy power; the feelings of being overmanaged by One whom we dare not question; the subtle fear of being manipulated by the price He has paid for us--we often learn to tuck all these feelings into the basements of our minds.  After all, we conclude, it's all part of the package.

It was to people very much like ourselves that Paul was writing when he reached that resounding conclusion after paragraphs of arguments: "What is there left to say?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"  With great earnestness, Paul wants us to know that God is every bit on our side.  His every action is designed for the winning and healing of His hurting people.

We hear the words and smile warmly at their intent, but there is still that haunting fear that our failures will draw forth His coldness.  We are in the habit of creating God in man's image.  We remember too keenly the times people, people whom we love, have used their rejection of us to get us to do what they wanted.  But rather than controlling us with rejection, our Father heals us with His love.

THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE

Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  I have glorified you on the earth and finished the work that you gave me to do.  John 17:3, 4, Jerusalem.

A popular series of television commercials depicts a respected businessman talking quietly in a busy crowded room.  He begins to quote the opinion of his stockbroker.  A hush suddenly falls over the crowd as every ear strains to hear the advice of that respected firm.  With important financial interests at stake, no one wants to miss such key information.

Place yourself in a setting with several serious-minded people, discussing what is essential for salvation.  Some are suggesting that eternal life is found through a life of self-sacrifice and denial.  Others are certain that eternal life is granted to those who accept certain legal provisions on their behalf.  You are aware that the ultimate expert on eternal life, Jesus Christ Himself, has just entered the room.  Though He seems to be in prayer to His Father, He is speaking so that others can hear.

"Eternal life," He says, "is this."  Suddenly every other conversation stops.  Every eye turns to His face; every ear strains to catch each word.  Most expect a lengthy, complicated formula.  They are stunned that it can be summarized in but three words.  Eternal life is this: "To know you."  To know the Father as He truly is, as He has been revealed through Jesus Christ--that is eternal life.

Some might object that it's too simple, that the Bible insists that no one is saved who does not do righteous works.  But the only genuine works of righteousness are those that freely flow from a loving heart, and one's heart becomes loving only when it is bonded to the Father's great heart of love.

Others would urge the need for faith as the basis for salvation.  Yet this is precisely what faith is.  It is an informed friendship with God, leading to love and trust.  Though faith may on occasion express itself in doing or believing something not fully understood, this is not its primary focus.  Faith is built upon that which we do know and understand--the clear revelation of the Father in Jesus Christ.

Jesus looked back over His life mission and was able confidently to report, "Mission accomplished!"  And what was that mission?  "I have shown your glory on earth" (John 17:4, T.E.V.).

WHAT MAKES OUR LOVE COMPLETE?

God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  1 John 4:16, 17, N.I.V.

There is a progression that takes place as a believer first finds forgiveness, then newness of life and a growing relationship with the Father.  To begin with, the most important thing for me, a sinner, to experience is God's unconditional love and forgiveness.  When I learn that He fully accepts me, I become secure enough to welcome His counsel in making major adjustments in my outlook and lifestyle.  In the process, I become increasingly appreciative of who He is--His wisdom is so good, His ways so appropriate, and His plans for me so exciting.  I am drawn into communion with Him, for His own sake, because He is altogether lovely.  Is there something more?

Our text says: "God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him."  What immediately grabs your attention when you read this passage?  If you are still concerned about your standing on the day of judgement, you probably felt a surge of desire to have the confidence spoken of here.  However, if you are confident that God loves and accepts you, you may have felt affirmed in your faith.

Actually, the apostle John is describing the relationship between God and His friends, the back-and-forthness of living His love.  We come to know we are totally secure in the Father, who is the personification of love.  He is our confidence on the day of judgment.  But there is something more: "Love is made complete among us...because in this world we are like him."  Now, this is very exciting!  Our shared love with the Father is made complete as we interact with others in this world.  Our friendship with God is reflected in all our earthly associations.  Not only does this give unbelievers an opportunity to come to know God, but we also experience in a tangible way the validity of all that we have learned concerning Him.  We are just like Him because we savor everything we know about Him.

And so our love is made complete.

HE IS NOT SILENT

For the Lord God does nothing without giving to his servants the prophets knowledge of his plans.  Amos 3:7, N.E.B.

In ancient Greece there developed an interesting form of religion known generally as mystery religions, which centered upon secret rites and esoteric sayings.  Only the initiated were given access to the central core of worship and supposed benefit.  Strict safeguards were imposed to prevent the privileged few from passing on the hidden doctrines to the general masses.  Perhaps much of the appeal for its devotees was the sought-after thrill of finally being counted as part of the privileged inner circle.

Even to this day many people belong to secret orders, lodges, and fraternal organizations based on a similar mystique.  But the religion of Jesus Christ has none of it!  By contrast to the supposed deities of the mystery religions, our God is intensely eager to get all the accurate information He possibly can into the minds of His people.  Indeed, it is the lack of truth, the scarcity of clear understanding about His character and kingdom, that has caused all the trouble in the first place.  He is not stingy in passing on that precious truth.

Rather than communicating to us in a haphazard fashion, God had often followed the pattern of working through devout and teachable persons who are willing to carry His messages.  The Bible refers to them as prophets, a word that means one who speaks on the behalf of God.  Once their credentials have been established and the community of believers know that they are reliable channels of truth. God can work through them in increasingly effective ways to unfold His plans.

Throughout salvation history every critical turning point in God's dealings with His people has been marked by the ministry of a prophet.  Moses led in the Exodus.  Noah warned of, then survived, the great Flood.  Isaiah comforted and guided during the great captivity by Babylon.  And John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Christ.  Isn't that just like our God not to leave His people in the dark at such critical times?

How grateful we should be that, as Paul affirmed in Ephesians 4:11-13, the prophetic gift is still active, revealing the magnificent truths of God's character.  God did not cut off all further communications at the time of John the revelator, but has given His last-day people a rich channel of reliable truth.  In these dark hours, let's grasp all the light we can find!

THE OPPOSITE OF LEGALISM

Now, it is clear that no one is put right with God by means of the Law, because the scripture says, "Only the person who is put right with through faith shall live."  Gal. 3:11, T.E.V.


Ask most any first-year college theology major what is the opposite of legalism, and he will almost certainly answer, "Faith."  When pressed a little further about what that might mean, he might explain, "Legalism means depending on the merits of human works; the opposite is to depend on the perfect merits of Jesus Christ."

It seems a good answer; it is one that would be accepted by many Christians from most denominations.  Given the choice, which of us wouldn't rather depend upon the perfect and abundant merits of Jesus Christ than upon the miniature and sin-stained "merits" of faulty human attempts at lawkeeping.  Certainly Paul wouldn't choose the latter!

But it raises another question.  Where do we find in Scripture that the Father requires merit of any kind--ours or Christ's?  Where do we read that He is impressed with merit?  Do we have any evidence that the human sin problem stems from a lack of merit, to be made up from some other source?

When we turn to Paul's Galatians Epistle, the classic place in Scripture where reliance upon human works is most vigorously scorned, we find a surprising alternative.  Paul does not suggest that we go in search of a better source of merit.  In Paul's mind, the opposite of legalism is relationship.  The alternative to frustrated human performance that attempts to please God is coming into fellowship with a God who is already pleased with us.

The second and third chapters of Galatians are so clear: those who have faith are in touch with eternal life. Faith is not simply reaching out to a larger store of merit; it is a union of the soul with Christ that is so vital and real that Paul can speak of Christ living in us (chap. 2:20).  That blended life is lived by faith--that is, by an ongoing friendship with our divine Lord.

Faith involves having confidence in God.  And that means trusting a God who is interested in matters more vital than the accumulation of merit.  It means responding to One who is extremely interested in our love and loyalty, for He knows that when He is the center of our lives every other good thing comes as a result.

RESPECTING OUR FREEDOM

If anyone declares publicly that he belongs to me, I will do the same for him before my Father in heaven.  But if anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject him before my Father in heaven.  Matt. 10:32, 33, T.E.V.

Her eyes were wide and her voice was tense.  "I wonder," she said, "what will be my destiny when my name comes up in the heavenly judgment?  Will God declare me saved or lost?"

This young woman shared a widely held dread of the judgment, based on the assumption that the issues center on what God thinks about us.  In her mind, she imagined scenes of God leafing through the books of record, as though to refresh His memory about her life's patterns.  Perhaps He even keeps score in a small notebook.  At some point, she feared, God will tally the score and make a decision about her.  Her eternal destiny will be based on which way He votes: life, or death.

But Jesus' words suggest a distinctly different approach.  He sets the focus, not around God's decision about us, but around our decision about God in Jesus Christ.  Because heaven is rooted in reality, it can only acknowledge what we have in fact decided here on earth.  Jesus simply states that He will be delighted to claim anyone who has claimed Him.  Before the Father and all the interested angels (see Luke 12:8, 9), Jesus will announce that mutual friendship is there!  On the other hand, because He does not force our free choices, when someone disowns Him before the world He will sadly have to report that no relationship exists between Himself and that person.

True, books of record are kept in the heavenly courts; but their purpose is not to enable God to make up His mind about His people, for "the Lord knows those who are his" (2 Tim. 2:19, T.E.V.).  These records are kept to verify that God has nothing to hide.  He is willing to open before the whole universe the life records of anyone, lost or saved.  He does not need to erase the record of failures among those who are saved.  Books of record prove that when God announces that certain people are ready for eternal life, it can be backed up by evidence.

Rather than us standing before God in puzzled anxiety, God is looking toward us with eager anticipation saying, "Won't you choose me?"

RECONCILIATION IS REAL!

So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.  Matt. 5:23, 24, T.E.V.


We parents have often watched our children go to church, sing "Jesus Loves Me," pray for their family members by name, then return home and fight with each other until the tears flow.  We wonder just how we can get them to bridge the gap between the religious words and actions they perform at church, and the issues of their practical life.  There are few things more deadly to true spirituality than for religion to become a round of mere formalism and ritual, cut off from conscious connection with the real world.

One of the greatest truths in salvation history is that God has gone to stunning lengths to win us back to Himself, to reconcile us wayward children to our Father.  He sent His Son in human form to tell us that our warfare had ended, that the hostilities we felt toward Him, and perceived from Him, could be laid to rest.  On the cross, all mankind could see the depths of divine love and the thoroughness with which God had dealt with sin.

Thousands of years earlier God had given His people an acted parable of the cross and its Sacrifice through the system of animal sacrifices.  It was God's desire that it bring spiritual realities closer to the people, since they would actually participate in bringing the animals.  As they watched innocent blood flowing because of their sins, it would draw their minds toward the great reconciling act of Christ on the cross.

Unfortunately, however, most of the people lost the message in the sacrifices.  In the next deadly step, they came to believe that it was the animal sacrifice itself that God required--for His sake!  They did not grasp that the sacrifice was Intended to change them, not God.

Jesus tugged their thinking far beyond ritual; He carried it into their real lives.  He said, in essence, "Don't come to celebrate God's reconciling act until the meaning of reconciliation has touched your own heart.  When you have made peace with your alienated brother, you will know more of the reality of what God has done to win you back.