The Power of Love

I can't title that without singing Huey Lewis' song in my head. Or of thinking about Michael J. Fox in a denim jacket driving a Delorean. Be that as it may, neither are where the title of this post came from.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8.35-39)

Our church's missional statement for the past two years has been "Don't go to church; be the church." Both as a group of Christians and as individuals, we encourage one another daily to live in a way that glorifies God and blesses others. This year we chose two words to amplify the missional statement above. They are simple: Love deeply.

Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22.37) is to love God with everything you are. That's a surprise to some and requires a heart adjustment for all. We can't please God by doing good things. We please God through faith (Hebrews 11.6) in Christ and loving Him. True love will result in our doing good things. (John 14.15)

Some of you reading this may shake your head and think, but I want something deeper. I've heard you say this before... Sorry. I ain't got nothing deeper. This is good news! God loves us so much that He sent His Son. Whoever believes, repents and loves deeply will glorify God and bless others. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Period.

How does the challenge to love deeply - both God and others - impact your life and require adjustments?