Prior to Colossians 3, verse 14, Paul tells Jesus’ followers that we are to exchange our old nature (the “old man”) for that of one like Christ’s. We are to put away anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lies, and any deeds toward others that prove contrary to Jesus’ example and character. Instead, we are to “put on [as a garment] tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another;...even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (vss. 8 - 13). In summation, Paul tells us: “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
I loathe quarrels. I mostly go out of my way to avoid them, but sometimes conflicts with those close to me arise anyway—which, sadly, has been my lot of late. As a result, in recent weeks I have been sorely tested by some of Paul’s admonitions. Blasphemy, filthy language, lies, and malice weren’t a problem, but I’ve had plenty of opportunity to allow anger and wrath to enter my realm—and smother Christ’s love. Just because it felt so darned good to do so, and even though I knew better, I found myself setting aside those “love” scriptures and allowing my baser, “old-Paula” fleshly self to rise up and get the better of me.
“My anger and hurt are justified,” I argued. “Those people did me dirty. They need to be told how wrong they are; they need to be put in their place!”
And yet, above all other things, I love Jesus. I want to be a doer of His Word and not a hearer only (James 1:23). I want every moment of my life to be lived and conducted according to His precepts. Jesus, by humble example, taught that demonstrating love instead of wrath, and returning good for evil, is the only sure path to lasting contentment. Setting aside sinful inclinations and allowing God to justify any wrongs done against us is our only sure means toward godliness, harmony, and peace. He alone perceives the motives and intentions of the heart; therefore, He alone is able to execute fair judgment. He alone can mete out just chastisement and/or vindication. All Jesus asks is that, as He did, we forgive our enemies and love them, even though we may feel justified to express ourselves otherwise. He asks that we allow Him to be the One to vindicate us.
Loving those who have wronged us is a difficult thing to do. I know this first hand. In my case, it took weeks to let the anger and resentment go, and to allow Jesus to fill my spirit with His love and peace. I had to spend lots of time at my Lord’s feet, pouring out the contents of my heart before I was finally able to utter the words (to my adversaries), “I love and forgive you”—and mean them.
For several years, I have been composing lunes as a way to capture, much like snapshots, certain events that serve to propel me along this often thorny road to Glory. A lune is a three-lined poem; the first line is comprised of three words, the second line five words, and the final line three words. The words may or may not rhyme, and the number of syllables does not matter. Here is a lune I composed that encapsulates my experience.
I’m a lover
Sometimes it hurts to love
Sometimes love crucifies
Pam
In the fall, at my church, we hear from many of the missionaries we support. They are such wonderful people with interesting and truly inspiring stories. What really impresses me is the love that infuses their lives and work. They are doing what God has called them to do and they are doing it with love. They seem to truly love God and the people they are serving. Tears come to my eyes when I hear their stories.
Hearing from the different missionaries reminds me that love is the foundation of Christianity. When I searched “love” at Bible Gateway, 686 results came up. Obviously, God has something to say on the subject. God loves us, and He wants us to love one another. If we could give to each other even a slightest fraction of the love God gives to us, the world would be a much different place. Image what the world would be like if Christians would obey Christ enough to let go of anger and quickly forgive all slights and offenses.
I know I fall short of obeying Jesus’ command far too often. I have much to learn about loving those I share the planet with. I pray regularly, “Jesus, teach me to be more like You. Teach me to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Teach me to pray for those who have hurt my feelings. Teach me to not judge with condemnation. Teach me love more expansively and inclusively. Teach me to love the unlovable.” It’s a process, but one that is of primary importance.
What better witness to the unsaved world than for Christians to live by their Lord’s example? At one point in his life, Mahatma Gandhi read the Bible and realized he read the Truth. He went to a church to give his life to the Lord but was not allowed in because they considered him black. He later said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Ouch. Clearly, he hadn’t met any of the missionaries from my church or any of the other fine servants doing good things around the globe, but he did have a point. If we can’t witness in love, then we shouldn’t witness at all.
If I were to set out to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies but leave out the chocolate chips, I will have something in the end, but it won’t be chocolate chip cookies. If I set out to follow Jesus but leave out love, I will have something in the end, but it won’t be following Jesus.
