3 Days of Christmas - Love - a photo on Flickriver

It is the annual open air Christmas service in Turtle Crossing Park. Pastor Charles Calvin has delivered the opening message* and now there is a time of fellowship.

Abby: Pastor, I have a quick question. I listened to what you said and you spoke about "loving our enemies".** Surely there are times when that is not practical?

Pastor Calvin: Who did God love?

Abby: He... well, I listened and He loved the world***, right?

Pastor Calvin: Just so. The world of sinful people who rebel against their Creator in disobedience. "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." ****

So, for whom did Christ die? He loved and died for spiritually dead, alienated, sinful enemies. Practical? No. But made possible through love. Part and parcel of salvation is that God shares His love with us so that we can also love our enemies.

As you say, it is hardly practical from a worldly perspective, but completely fulfilling in love.

Abby: So, I... what? Go put my arm around them and tell them I love them?

Pastor Calvin: No, that may not always be productive. But God defines love through sacrificial action on behalf of the other. In the myriad ways people may show enmity towards you, that sacrifice may simply be setting aside your pride and natural impulse to retaliate and, instead, praying for them.

Abby: I see.

Pastor Calvin: The prerequisite for this Godly love is of course to know the God from Whom the love originates. That is to repent and believe upon Christ Jesus. To love Him first and foremost. To follow Him. To serve Him.

Abby: Understood. I'm not a Christian.

Pastor Calvin: I doubt it is mere curiosity about the Christian doctrine of love that caused you to ask. I assume you are desirous to know about true Godly love and so please allow me to present that love we celebrate at Christmas. We celebrate God becoming one of us. Stepping into creation with His conception and birth. The only reason He did that was to die so that all who come to HIm will be saved. None of us deserved it. But He did it.

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." *****

Love for your enemies is a result of God sharing His love with you, but the primary purpose is for you to enjoy this unique love of God yourself. This is what the Lord Jesus says, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." ******

Abby: I... thank you, that is helpful for me to think on. If I have further questions...

Pastor Calvin: I am always available and eager to discuss.

________________________

*Seen here:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/50736652896/

** Matthew 5:43-48
*** John 3:16
**** Romans 5:6-10
***** Ephesians 3:17-19
****** John 15:9-11

Taken on: December 18, 2020

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Camera: Sony ILCE-7M3, f/18.0, 30 sec, 85mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-7M3
Aperture:	f/18.0
Exposure Time:	30
Focal Length:	85mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Tungsten (Incandescent)
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ILCE-7M3 v3.10
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