Charlotte's post regarding how we at BUMC take God's commandment to love seriously continues to generate reflection and discussion (click here for another reaction to her original post). Frank recently commented on Charlotte's thoughts, which we are cross-posting after the jump to keep the conversation going in people's minds and hearts.
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Gratitude of Thanks...
I have never blogged, but the question – Is it our duty of faith to love? - posed by Charlotte on a June 28th blog has tugged at my heart to respond. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” One of the most repeated verses of Scripture is as deep as it is brief. As an action from God, Jesus came to us to display God’s character and set an everlasting example. In fact, isn’t it the fruits of the spirit that Jesus continually discussed and acted upon? Thereby, presenting us with the tangible understanding of God and his desire for us to be similarly responsive. To me, it somewhat boils down to acting on the fruits of the spirit (generosity, patience, kindness, compassion,..) provides the essence of love. And, thus giving love a life and touching those surrounding us. These actions being repeated with similar actions can do nothing but bring us all into a community of love with comfort and joy. And a sense of being in close alignment with Jesus’ own actions and closer to God.
In my life, the “essence” of love has been a journey to understand while having a continual hope in connecting with another’s spirited action. We are usually led to feel this essence of love is ONLY truly found in a marriage or partnership. I would limit my spirited action to a select few looking for the one to give love and, in response to receive it. At times, as I opened myself to one with love and not have it reciprocated, I would soon put it in a deep holding spot. Never thinking I could have it be present on my own. But, as Jesus showed, love is ever present and alive in each of us when acting with a fruit of the spirit. Simply “acting” on one of the fruits not only brings us into the sense of being but also gives those around us the love God has meant for all to share. So, my response to the question is ‘YES’ – that not only as a thirty something, but also as a twenty something, forty something and older, our duty is to convey and act on the fruits that God gifted to us and bring the essence of love to those around and strengthen the community into a Christ like being. I can only strive to let my heart and spirit work to what Jesus so effortlessly was able to do in bringing the deep meaning of love to all.
Frank
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