Sharpened by Love: The Role of Love in the Life of the Church
Love: it’s a word that’s tossed around frequently today, especially in Christian circles, but it’s often spoken of so vaguely and flippantly that it can lose its meaning and value. But it’s vital that we spend some time reflecting on what love is and what God’s intentions are for it because it plays such a critical role in the mission of advancing God’s kingdom. In today’s post, we are going to discuss the role of love in the church; how it is the keystone of obedience, a means of mission, and the whetstone of the church. But first, what is a blog post on love without a definition of love? Let’s level set and describe what we are talking about when we say love.
God is love; by that, we mean, God is the standard that defines what love is. The ways we see him love us are the ways we can define what love is (1 John 4:7-11). Love is sacrificial (John 3:16). Love is selfless and humble, considering others needs more than one’s own (Philippians 2). Love is patient, kind, and forbearing (1 Corinthians 13). Love seeks the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24). It’s not a perfect definition, but for our purposes today we will use the following definition of love: love is a way of expressing goodwill to others and to God that involves putting others’ wellbeing first, sacrificial service, and forgiveness of those who sin against us.
Now that we are all on the same page about what love is, let talk about the different roles love plays in the church and why there is so much time devoted to it in the Scripture.
Love: The Keystone of Obedience
Jesus speaks on the topic of love numerous times throughout his ministry. The importance of love cannot be overemphasized. In fact, when Jesus is asked what the single greatest commandment is, he responds by saying the first and greatest commandment is to love God, but the second is to love your neighbor. (Matt 11:37-40) The two are so interwoven, that he can’t speak to one without speaking to the other. And, he says, all of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commands. This means, if we aren’t loving God and loving our neighbor, we aren’t obeying any of his commands!
In a letter to the Corinthian church, Paul speaks about spiritual gifts and warns about comparison and competition. In chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians, he paints a picture of what it looks like to use spiritual gifts without love and for selfish gain and contrasts it against what love really looks like. His point is that we can do “all the right things” and exercise our spiritual gifts, but if we do it without love, it’s all for not; it’s ineffective and futile. It isn’t true, obedient stewardship of the gifts and resources He has given us.
Sounds like love is a keystone of obedience!
Love: A Means of Missions
When you think of missions, what do you picture? Most of us picture a “reaching outside of the church” of some sort. That might be serving in your community or travelling internationally to evangelize. These are clear applications we see in the Bible. In Acts 6, we see the church providing daily distributions to the Hellenist widows and we see Stephen preaching a gospel message to those outside the church. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. There is a clear command to “go” (outside the church) to make disciples where they are (in Jerusalem), and to increasing distances (Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth).
However, is it possible that missions can also happen within the church; not just within the walls of a church building (that certainly takes place), but within the body of believers itself? Do we have to “reach outside of the body of Christ” to engage in mission, or is there are role for mission within the church community too? Let’s explore a few key verses to see how they address this questions.
In Acts 2:42-47, we come across the origin of the church, the first group of believers in Jesus as the long-anticipated Messiah. They became the church by hearing the Gospel preached (Acts 2:14-41). The natural results produced in them by the work of the Spirit (remember they don’t have any other Christian church they are modelling themselves after, this is purely organic) are love and unity, a togetherness and selfless love for one another. And what results? Verse 43 says, “awe came upon every soul.” This means those within the church were in awe and those outside of the church were in awe… all because of the love the church had for itself! Clearly, verse 47 tells us that it was the Spirit at work and it was the Lord who multiplied their numbers day by day, but the means He used to do it was the love the church had for one another! The world saw the church loving itself and were awe-struck and the Lord used it to save many! This wasn’t an outright evangelistic measure, they weren’t hosting a community outreach in hopes to preach the gospel; they were just loving one another, caring for one another, and being together! And God used it to grow His kingdom.
It's no wonder that Peter in his letter to persecuted Christians, while the “end of all things is at hand”, chooses to emphasize loving one another above all other things. Peter knows the power of love within the church. He was a part of this Acts 2 church and saw what the Lord did through His people’s love for one another. When time is running out, and Peter is giving his final applications to these Christians, he says to 1. kill sin (be self-controlled and sober-minded) for the sake of a clear mind when praying, and 2. ABOVE ALL, keep loving one another (followed by some practical applications of what that looks like) because that is how God is glorified (1 Peter 4:7-11).
One final example, although this is not an exhaustive list, comes from Jesus himself. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says to his disciples in His last words before He is lead to His crucifixion, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus’ intention is that love for each other (remember, he’s talking to his followers here) would become a distinguishing mark of his followers, that the world would see something different in how they love one another, and that there would be a clear line between who is “in” and “out” by the way they love each other.
Yes, loving those outside the church is absolutely missional, but don’t discount the power of love within the church. It can radically change the world!
Love: The Whetstone of the Church
In short, a whetsone is a stone used to sharpen knives, swords and tools. When used properly, it refines the tool, making it sharper, stronger and more effective. When misused, it can dull or damage a blade, potentially rendering it useless even. And so it is with love and the church. A church with love is the whetstone used properly, refining and strengthening a people, growing them, maturing them, enabling them to be effective for the work that God has for them. But a church without love (or a church expressing counterfeit love) dulls its people; it mars their witness, renders them incapacitated and ineffective for the work the Lord has for them.
Going back to our example from 1 Corinthians 13, this is what Paul is speaking to. Without love, those who speak in tongues are noisy gongs or clanging symbols. They are a knife rubbed improperly against the whetstone, rendering their service useless. Those who prophecy and have faith but do not love, those who give generously even sacrificing their lives but without love are a dulled sword to a soldier at war. A lack of love for one another is a disgrace to the Message we proclaim; but the Message proclaimed from a people who love one another can radically change the world for eternity.
Conclusion
Love plays a critical role in the life of the church. It is how we bring joy to God through our obedience. It is a demonstration of the power of the Gospel at work in us. It is the proof that reflects the glories of our God in a fallen world. It is the means by which God has chosen to redeem a people to Himself. And it is how we are sanctified to look more like our loving God. Without love, all our efforts are in vain; but with love, God changes hearts through you and me.
Questions to Consider:
God is love; by that, we mean, God is the standard that defines what love is. The ways we see him love us are the ways we can define what love is (1 John 4:7-11). Love is sacrificial (John 3:16). Love is selfless and humble, considering others needs more than one’s own (Philippians 2). Love is patient, kind, and forbearing (1 Corinthians 13). Love seeks the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24). It’s not a perfect definition, but for our purposes today we will use the following definition of love: love is a way of expressing goodwill to others and to God that involves putting others’ wellbeing first, sacrificial service, and forgiveness of those who sin against us.
Now that we are all on the same page about what love is, let talk about the different roles love plays in the church and why there is so much time devoted to it in the Scripture.
Love: The Keystone of Obedience
Jesus speaks on the topic of love numerous times throughout his ministry. The importance of love cannot be overemphasized. In fact, when Jesus is asked what the single greatest commandment is, he responds by saying the first and greatest commandment is to love God, but the second is to love your neighbor. (Matt 11:37-40) The two are so interwoven, that he can’t speak to one without speaking to the other. And, he says, all of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commands. This means, if we aren’t loving God and loving our neighbor, we aren’t obeying any of his commands!
In a letter to the Corinthian church, Paul speaks about spiritual gifts and warns about comparison and competition. In chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians, he paints a picture of what it looks like to use spiritual gifts without love and for selfish gain and contrasts it against what love really looks like. His point is that we can do “all the right things” and exercise our spiritual gifts, but if we do it without love, it’s all for not; it’s ineffective and futile. It isn’t true, obedient stewardship of the gifts and resources He has given us.
Sounds like love is a keystone of obedience!
Love: A Means of Missions
When you think of missions, what do you picture? Most of us picture a “reaching outside of the church” of some sort. That might be serving in your community or travelling internationally to evangelize. These are clear applications we see in the Bible. In Acts 6, we see the church providing daily distributions to the Hellenist widows and we see Stephen preaching a gospel message to those outside the church. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. There is a clear command to “go” (outside the church) to make disciples where they are (in Jerusalem), and to increasing distances (Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth).
However, is it possible that missions can also happen within the church; not just within the walls of a church building (that certainly takes place), but within the body of believers itself? Do we have to “reach outside of the body of Christ” to engage in mission, or is there are role for mission within the church community too? Let’s explore a few key verses to see how they address this questions.
In Acts 2:42-47, we come across the origin of the church, the first group of believers in Jesus as the long-anticipated Messiah. They became the church by hearing the Gospel preached (Acts 2:14-41). The natural results produced in them by the work of the Spirit (remember they don’t have any other Christian church they are modelling themselves after, this is purely organic) are love and unity, a togetherness and selfless love for one another. And what results? Verse 43 says, “awe came upon every soul.” This means those within the church were in awe and those outside of the church were in awe… all because of the love the church had for itself! Clearly, verse 47 tells us that it was the Spirit at work and it was the Lord who multiplied their numbers day by day, but the means He used to do it was the love the church had for one another! The world saw the church loving itself and were awe-struck and the Lord used it to save many! This wasn’t an outright evangelistic measure, they weren’t hosting a community outreach in hopes to preach the gospel; they were just loving one another, caring for one another, and being together! And God used it to grow His kingdom.
It's no wonder that Peter in his letter to persecuted Christians, while the “end of all things is at hand”, chooses to emphasize loving one another above all other things. Peter knows the power of love within the church. He was a part of this Acts 2 church and saw what the Lord did through His people’s love for one another. When time is running out, and Peter is giving his final applications to these Christians, he says to 1. kill sin (be self-controlled and sober-minded) for the sake of a clear mind when praying, and 2. ABOVE ALL, keep loving one another (followed by some practical applications of what that looks like) because that is how God is glorified (1 Peter 4:7-11).
One final example, although this is not an exhaustive list, comes from Jesus himself. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says to his disciples in His last words before He is lead to His crucifixion, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus’ intention is that love for each other (remember, he’s talking to his followers here) would become a distinguishing mark of his followers, that the world would see something different in how they love one another, and that there would be a clear line between who is “in” and “out” by the way they love each other.
Yes, loving those outside the church is absolutely missional, but don’t discount the power of love within the church. It can radically change the world!
Love: The Whetstone of the Church
In short, a whetsone is a stone used to sharpen knives, swords and tools. When used properly, it refines the tool, making it sharper, stronger and more effective. When misused, it can dull or damage a blade, potentially rendering it useless even. And so it is with love and the church. A church with love is the whetstone used properly, refining and strengthening a people, growing them, maturing them, enabling them to be effective for the work that God has for them. But a church without love (or a church expressing counterfeit love) dulls its people; it mars their witness, renders them incapacitated and ineffective for the work the Lord has for them.
Going back to our example from 1 Corinthians 13, this is what Paul is speaking to. Without love, those who speak in tongues are noisy gongs or clanging symbols. They are a knife rubbed improperly against the whetstone, rendering their service useless. Those who prophecy and have faith but do not love, those who give generously even sacrificing their lives but without love are a dulled sword to a soldier at war. A lack of love for one another is a disgrace to the Message we proclaim; but the Message proclaimed from a people who love one another can radically change the world for eternity.
Conclusion
Love plays a critical role in the life of the church. It is how we bring joy to God through our obedience. It is a demonstration of the power of the Gospel at work in us. It is the proof that reflects the glories of our God in a fallen world. It is the means by which God has chosen to redeem a people to Himself. And it is how we are sanctified to look more like our loving God. Without love, all our efforts are in vain; but with love, God changes hearts through you and me.
Questions to Consider:
- How am I doing at loving those inside and outside of my local church body? In what ways do I need to grow in love?
- How is my local church body doing at loving one another and those around us? Is there an area/people group that we do well/poorly at loving? Does my church look like the church in Acts 2? Why or why not?
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