On Monday mornings I begin sermon prep for the coming Sunday. This week I began by reading 1 John 4:7-21. As I read and reread this scripture I was struck by verse 20, “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” This scripture seems clear to me. We cannot say the words “I love God” without actually loving others.
As I watch the live stream of General Conference it seems that we have forgotten the message of 1 John. I have read reports from many people that love seems to be lacking in certain areas of General Conference. This morning I watched a debate regarding the Preamble to the Social Principles. The debate centered on what, if anything, can separate us from the love of God. Watching the debate, while keeping an eye on Twitter and Facebook, I began to wonder what it means to love our brothers and sisters and if those involved have given any thought to this question. Do people on one end of the political, social, and theological spectrum love those at the other end? How do they show that love?
As I began my sermon prep and reflection on General Conference I ran across this quote from New Testament professor Brian Peterson, “Much of the anger that erupts within the church under the banner of loving God and defending God’s truth often seems to grow instead from love of self and of the power that comes from winning the argument, even at the expense of the church’s unity in love.” Over the next couple of days General Conference will be debating a variety of issues, with a large chunk of time spent on issues regarding sexual orientation. It is my prayer and hope that people on both sides of all the issues debated remember 1 John 4:20 and work not for power but for the church’s unity in love.
Photo Credit: ‘Unity’ by Flickr user cogitoergodoleo
