July 4-8, 2022
Reflections on Excelling in Love
Love in the Meantime
July 8, 2022 • Chris Rodden • 1 Corinthians 13
Think about the many ways that Jesus’ followers build up God's kingdom. Writers, singers, musicians, givers, teachers, scholars. All of us are gifted by God. As valuable as our gifts are, the apostle Paul teaches that spiritual gifts are temporary and not the end goal (1 Corinthians 13:8). In addition, he says our knowledge of God is limited. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears” (13:9-10). Perfection here refers to the fullness of God. Some scholars say this verse points to heaven, and others argue that this refers to Christ's return. In any case, our gifts and knowledge are mere glimpses of our glorious God. We are just scratching the surface. He then says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (13:13). What we do and what we know are temporary, partial, and imperfect. This should keep us humble but not discourage us. We should rest in knowing that we cannot expect to be perfect. Let us simply serve God and others with the kind of love that God has shown us. Everything else will pass away, but the love of God is everlasting.
Love that Binds
July 7, 2022 • Chris Rodden • Colossians 3:11–14
Big family gatherings around a holiday table or a backyard barbecue can be a test of patience. We’ve all heard the stories about the dread some people feel in hosting these events. Cramming a disparate group of hungry relatives into a dining nook for a few hours and seeing the meal devolve into arguments and uncomfortable silences is really a fun tradition (sarcasm intended). Paul wrote a letter to Colossae to teach, exhort, and unify the church there. Just like many other first century churches, the Colossian church had its share of false teachings, problems, and disagreements. It was a mix of people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. So, Paul says, “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (3:11). He then calls for compassion, kindness, and humility, among other things. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds the all together in perfect unity” (3:12-14). We see that the glue to keep the Colossians together was love. I am certain the Colossians didn't always feel love for each other, but that is OK. Love is an intention and an act of sacrifice. How do you make love intentional? Do you ever not feel love, but you can put love into action anyway?
Tears of Peter
July 6, 2022 • Chris Rodden • Matthew 26:69–75
On our recent trip to Spain, I visited museums and cathedrals and saw a lot of artwork, but this particular painting really got to me. It is “Tears of St. Peter” by El Greco. The tears in his eyes are heavy, ready to spill down his face. The painting is raw, tender, and lifelike. The depiction is meant to show the gutting remorse and guilt that Peter felt after abandoning and denying his Lord before the crucifixion. I cannot even begin to understand the weight of Peter's regret. Still, despite this profound betrayal, the first thing the Lord did after his resurrection was to reconnect with and bring restoration to his disciples, including Peter. Jesus’ love and forgiveness were so great that even abandonment by his closest friends was no match for His grace. With this kind of love given to him, Peter spent the rest of his life proclaiming the Good News. Today we, too, know of Jesus’ love and see it permeate the Gospels. What will our response be?
The Ultimate Proof
July 5, 2022 • Chris Rodden • John 13:35
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). I have a few cross necklaces that I wear from time to time. A Bible and a few Christian-oriented books sit on our coffee table, along with clothing catalogs and sports magazines. At Christmastime, we string lights on the house, but we also set up a nativity scene in our yard. Now, can I share my heart with you? When I became a Jesus follower 24 years ago, I resolved that, going forward, I would not buy or display a lot of Christian merchandise and trinkets. Decals, keychains, decorative plaques—the possibilities are endless. Nothing wrong with owning those things as long as people know us by our love and not because we are wearing a Third Day t-shirt. When I gave my heart to Jesus, believe me when I tell you that I needed to work on my character and my love for others. It really stuck with me that my love walk was, and is, the most important thing. I am not to rely on my church membership, or my Facebook posts, or my cross necklace to make the case for my conversion. Lord, please teach me to love, and then teach me again. Let love be THE reason that people identify us as Jesus' disciples.
God's Kind of Love
July 4, 2022 • Chris Rodden • Matthew 5:44
All the Law boils down to: Love God and love others. This is both profound and simple. I say, "Yes, that is doable." But then I remember that love is to be given freely to everyone, including our enemies (Matthew 5:44). In Skye Jethani's book "What If Jesus Was Serious?" he sifts through different kinds of love, like romantic love and sentimental love. He points out that the love that God teaches is a love beyond feelings. For God, love is an action and a commitment. Skye then says, “If Jesus was serious, then our self-sacrifice would extend even to our enemies.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pays particular attention to the love we show our enemies, instructing us, among other things, to turn the other cheek and to walk the second mile when compelled to walk the first. Simply, we are called to answer hate with love and persecution with forbearance. “Ooey-gooey” feelings come and go, but a steadfast love, demonstrated with humility, is of God. We are called to put others ahead of us even when it’s not easy. This is the kind of love that can come only from God.