The 5 Loves of our Church
As a church we must ask ourselves the question, what are we here to do? What is our purpose and how do we fulfill that purpose?
Jesus gives us an insight into the life we are called to live when he was cornered by some zealous law loving Jewish leaders. They asked:
“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” – Matthew 22:35-40
This helps us identify five key loves that we hope will define the life of our church. Five loves that we can look to as signposts of our purpose and reminders of what we are called to do and be. If we really are going to answer the question of what we are here to do then we must consider these five loves and how each of them, when working together, fulfill our calling as disciples of Jesus, as his church.
Jesus gives us an insight into the life we are called to live when he was cornered by some zealous law loving Jewish leaders. They asked:
“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” – Matthew 22:35-40
This helps us identify five key loves that we hope will define the life of our church. Five loves that we can look to as signposts of our purpose and reminders of what we are called to do and be. If we really are going to answer the question of what we are here to do then we must consider these five loves and how each of them, when working together, fulfill our calling as disciples of Jesus, as his church.
The Love of God
The love of God is where Jesus began, and it is where we too must start when we consider what the purpose of the church is. Without the love of God all else fails which is why Jesus said:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Matt 22:37
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Matt 22:37
The Love of the Word
For us to properly love God, we must know him. For us to serve God we must understand his will. We are utterly dependent on his word for both and hence our love God’s word is the natural result of our love of God.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Ps 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Ps 119:105
The Love for the Lost and Vulnerable
Throughout the Bible we see God seeking out the lost and the vulnerable. His care and attention are often focused on those who either need to be drawn into relationship with him or those who are in grave personal need.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
The Love of Service
To love someone is more than simply feeling nice things about them. Love requires action, love requires service. In serving each other we not only love each other but we love God in the process.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
The Love of the Church
The church, God’s chosen people is the object of God’s greatest love. It was for the church that Jesus lived, died and rose. Therefore, if God loves the church that much then we should love the church also.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises, of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises, of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9