The WORD is LOVE

1 John 4:7-12

July 17, 2005

Joseph Ofosu

“GOD is love”

“Jesus is love”

“GOD loves you”

“Jesus loves you”

We are familiar with these statements and sayings; we have seen them posted on bumper stickers; we have read them in different places including posters, banners, signboards etc.  Are these just slogans, clichés, trite catchwords, expressions, or are these true meaningful faith-based statements that we ought to live by?

The purpose of God’s creation is to show us His love for us; and to confirm and manifest His deep love, He gave to us His son, Jesus Christ – for our sake.

You see, that love is unfailing, steadfast, and is enduring. God’s love is real and unconditional. And it is livable.  It is action-oriented – shown by deeds.  It is for everyday living.  Therefore, as Christians, our lives should be a reflection of that love.  Today, we are reminded that in the face of life expressions or situations – failures, successes, weaknesses, strength, etc. – He loves us.

Right from the beginning and throughout time, God has loved us. He made us in His own image – in his likeness. Therefore, we are imbued with love. He gave us dominion over all living things. When we had gone astray he did not cast us away, but sent down His son to live among us.

Christ showed us how to care for and love one another:

· He healed

· He made the lame/paralyzed walk

· He calmed the storm

· He fed the hungry

· He raised the dead, among others,

AND

            He took and carried our punishment.

There is a direct relationship with Jesus’ answer in the 1^st reading to the Ten Commandments. When the “learned” went to Him with the question, He ‘broke it down for them’. The 1^st 4 of the commandments are about God; the next 6 commandments are about us.

Therefore, fellow Christians, the message has been simplified for us:  Love one another. Because you cannot love God without that.

Through Love, we

will be patient with each other,

will be kind to each other,

will care for each other,

will be truthful to and with each other,

will be mindful of the thoughts, feelings and what we say to and about each other. 

God cares about our today and future. In that same light, as Christian parents, we are shepherds for all God’s children.  As we buy for our children: the play stations 1, 2, 3; “X” boxes or Z boxes (?); X-men and X-women (?); picku chu’s; bay blades; game boys/girls; Nike shocks; Jordan’s; urban clothes? … let us continue to emphasize to them the ‘Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom’ and teach them the Love of God – their future depends on that.

So, now let us go out and Shine for God! Keeping in mind that love is a verb and love is something you do!

Finally,

Turn to the brother or sister next to you, hopefully somebody new, and tell him or her:

“God loves you”

“Jesus loves you”

  “So do I”

Lord, let it be.  Amen.