Across the Pastor’s Desk by Kent Otterman

 

I came across some thoughts written by a woman named Sharon Jaynes that I really like, and I would like to share them with you. She was writing about the difference between self-centeredness and love.

“Self-centeredness says, ‘What has that person done for me lately?’ Love says, ‘What can I do for that person today?’ Self-centeredness makes mental lists of how others have disappointed them. Love makes mental lists of ways they can bless others. Self-centeredness withholds affection and approval from those who don’t deserve it.  Love gives affection unconditionally because none of us do deserve it. Self-centeredness says, ‘Come here and give me a hug.’ Love says, ‘Come here and let me hug you.’ Can you tell the difference?”

We often say that God’s love is unconditional, and that’s true! Jesus taught this in the Sermon on the Mount.  He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew. 5:43-48) Jesus calls us to a higher kind of love, a heavenly kind of love. God loves all people unconditionally. As John 3:16 begins: “For God so loved the world …” Paul also refers to this unconditional love when he says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

However, while God’s love is unconditional, it’s important to understand that God’s salvation is not.  People will not go to heaven simply because God loves them. We must accept God’s loving and gracious offer of salvation. How do we do that? Listen to the first words of Jesus when he began preaching: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)  It is by repenting and believing that we receive the gift of salvation. Some Bible verses emphasize repentance and some faith, but they are always opposite sides of the same coin.  They go hand in hand.  Referring to the second coming of Christ, Peter writes, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9)  John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

We cannot love people unconditionally by our own strength or power. We must ask God to empower us with his unconditional love for people. To love unconditionally is the right thing to do because it is what God does.  And in the process maybe someone will be touched by God’s love through us and be strengthened in their own Christian faith or, if they are not yet believers in Jesus, we hope and pray that they may become so.

Kent Otterman is chaplain at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea, and pastor of Round Prairie Lutheran Church of rural Glenville and Faith Lutheran Church of London.