This is the latest of the questions posed by the congregation. How do we know it’s God’s love that touches us when in fact it could be so much else, such as simple, straightforward human love?
One text comes to mind. From 1 John the classic passage that God is love and those who dwell in love dwell in God and God in them. John is encouraging his brothers and sisters in Christ to love one another in very difficult circumstances. Tension with the outside world and with the synagogue were not insignificant. But he encourages love as the ideal, the principle.
Is there any possibility of God’s love outwith the community of faith or the community of humans?
When I was growing up there was a tangible sense of love and friendship and cohesion in my home church. Much of this was the result of the two ministers. One was particularly keen on fellowship and friendship and the other was particularly keen on mission, reaching out to those in need. With this mix of purpose and togetherness the love was tangible. But was it God’s love? Could it not have been human love and support? Yes, of course, but that human love and support could only excel as we strve to live Christian lives. It is almost as if the intent of living in Christ, called there perhaps by God, morphed into God’s love and not simply human love.
Someone who was part of St. Philip’s for a while visited a monastery in Scotland. She had visited it many times and found the peace and the serenity both comforting and encouraging. At one point she faced some important decisions and thus attended one of the services. She went forward to receive a blessing from the priest, who laid his hand upon her head. She felt that something like a tingling sensation ran across her head and down her spine. Something was happening. And important decisions were made within the context of this experience. Was it the love of God? Yes, of course, but perhaps only through human hands, human hands shaped and moulded as part of a community of faith.
Do we ever actually KNOW it is God’ love? No, I don’t think we ever do. It is a question of faith, after all. But, what does seem apparent is that God’s love, or at least the possibility of God’s love, is most likely, most peculiarly possible in a community that strives to follow Christ. It may be simply human love but, if it is human love, it is raised to such a transcendent pitch that it shades into the glory of everlasting love.
How do we know God’s love?
I was chatting with a minister not too long ago. He had been in hospital and had not been well at all. While there he became close with another woman who was also being treated and he got to know her son well. Her son, who was obviously a successful man, well dressed, well spoken, well turned out, was keen to meet the minister and gave him a business card. The minister visited a very exclusive area of the city and was shown into a beautiful office with mahogany and leather chairs. In conversation it turned out that this successful man simply wanted to chat with the minister because he was the first person in years who had simply treated him as a human being. He was black and he was successful and too many people, far too many people, found him a threat to them. But not to someone who has attempted to follow Christ for over 60 years, loving others and opening arms in grace.
The love of God, touching someone through a disciple of Christ.
Of course we don’t know it was God’s love.
But, how else can one explain it if we start with the life of Christ?
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