Without love what do we show of God?
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
When we treat others who oppose our faith with anger our actions bring them to God. But, these actions, words and thoughts only bring them to a view of a God Who is justice and judgment.
Three men come upon a man who was beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Two who were on positions of honor and holiness passed by, avoiding this man but then third man who is an outcast helps him. See Luke 10:25-37 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus asks “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.””
Jesus tells us again in Mathew’s Gospel that someone who won’t listen and stays opposed to the church, we should, “let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:17
Imagine the scandal we will cause when we treat an enemy with love? Imagine when someone who supports the worldly agenda (abortions and sinful living) approaches us with words of anger and hatred only to receive love and mercy in return?
Love brings the God of Mercy to the life of men. It is love and mercy, in word, action and prayer, that shows the heart of our loving God of Mercy.
Do you have the strength to give love in exchange for anger, to give mercy where there is only hatred?
Amen, Ed! God I’d love!