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In the three previous articles concerning morality, we examined
the fact that God exists, has established a godly ethic in His word,
and that we must appeal to the Bible to establish godly morality
(right and wrong). In this article, I would like to suggest that
"love" is the thing that motivates us to deny the world
and live by God's standard of right and wrong.
One of the Greek words translated love in the New Testament is
agape. Agape is used to describe the attitude one has toward God
and other individuals that is outwardly manifested in the doing
of good. Agapao within God or an individual is to seek the best
for all others apart from any feelings one may have toward the one
that good is being extended. Vine's Expository Dictionary says of
agapao:
"In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep
and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely
unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential love in
them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are
partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver."
"Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses
itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John
14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; I John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 6. Self-will, that
is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God."
"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or
toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does
not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend
itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love
seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any 13:8-10;
love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward
them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal. 6:10."
First God loved us; therefore, He provided a means of salvation
by sending His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). So, we in turn
love God "because He first loved us" (I John 4:19). Now,
if we love God, we keep His commands - without exception. John says
in I John 5:3: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." So,
if we love God, we keep His commandments. And, if we do not love
God, we do not keep His commandments. Likewise, since God has commanded
us to love our neighbor, we do good to our neighbor apart from personal
feelings and desires.
Also notice the attitude we have toward keeping the commands of
God because of love - they are not burdensome. For one who does
not love God, it will be burdensome to think of obeying God's commands
because he lacks a driving force to positively motivate himself
to obey the Lord. But, for one who loves the Lord, nothing, not
even death, may prevent them from obeying the Lord. So it was in
the first century, which many people were persecuted even to die
painfully slow by fire, crucifixion, and torment of beasts while
looking to the rest that awaited in heaven. Jesus, assured them
by saying through the Apostle John: "Do not fear any of those
things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about
to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you
will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)
So it is for us also, if we love the Lord and stand the tests of
this life. We will receive a crown of life. But, do we love the
Lord to do whatever He says even at the cost of our life? Would
we forsake all of this world, including family and friend, to obey
the Lord - to stand for what is right in the sight of the Lord?
Could we stand strong in the Lord while watching parents and children
burned at the stake or thrown to beasts? Surely, only love could
move us to the strongest convictions to never deny our Lord and
live morally in this life.
Of love and its relationship to doing the Lord's work Paul says:
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
avails anything, but faith working through love. If your love for
the Lord is inadequate to make you stand in the face of adversity
or to obey Him in times of calm, now is the acceptable season to
grow closer to Him through love. When a lawyer asked Jesus about
which of the commandments is greatest in the law He responded: "You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself. On these two commandments hang all of the Law and the
Prophets." (Matt. 22:37-28) Ask yourself: Do I posses the fervent
(fiery) love of God which moves me to obedience in all things? Or,
is my love just lukewarm?
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