All we need is love, love, love..

One Sunday morning a very popular preacher entered the pulpit. As he prepared to give a sermon he looked out at his good people smiling back and felt most content. He noticed this week every seat was filled and he was very pleased with the attendance.

As his eye glanced over the room, he immediately recognised many friends as he had come to know them well over the years. They all came on a regular basis week in week out, and after the church proceedings, there was usually a social gathering where they would chat over some refreshments.

As the pastor was gazing, suddenly by surprise his eye caught a glimpse of a stranger sitting by themselves holding a Bible. He looked at the stranger for a moment too long and thought it a bit odd, but then continued with proceedings and thought nothing more about it. As always, he opened his sermon in prayer and blessed his people. They sang splendid melodic hymns with enthusiasm and worshiped the Lord. After the opening proceedings, the pastor continued with a popular sermon which focused heavily on the 'love of God'. Occasionally He referenced biblical scripture to support his sermon.

As he went on he could sense a glow and warmth among the congregation and it gave him the greatest pleasure to make them feel good. He explained that God was all about love, and how he loved us all unconditionally... That the agape love of God transcends from the heavens and manifests itself in our lives leading to elevated relationships and guaranteed prosperity... As he continued he momentarily glanced at the stranger. The stranger looked back but with no expression, and for a brief moment the pastor became slightly unstuck. He quickly moved his attention back to his congregation and went on to explain that the church was a foundation for Gods love, and so long as we continue to obey the rules & regulations laid out by the church and its elders and tithe properly that we would all continue to please God.

The sermon ended and the pastor blessed his people. They met as always for refreshments and the pastor made sure he had time for everyone. Some time later he returned to his church and as he entered, he noticed the stranger was still sitting in the pew this time reading his bible. The pastor approached the man and wondered if he perhaps needed some spiritual guidance. He introduced himself and spoke nervously for a spell. He paused and then finally said : is there something on your mind? The stranger looked at him and spoke. I would kindly request just a few minutes of your time. The pastor looked at him quizzically and said, please go ahead: Without introducing himself, the stranger opened his bible and read:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers ; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. [2 timothy 4: 3-4 ]

The stranger paused and looked up at the pastor and continued. Your zeal and enthusiasm to convey and teach the love of God to your flock is commendable. However it may also be true that some are not hearing the message that God wants them to hear. The pastor was silent..

He continued… The love of God is NOT unconditional with all men and woman and if this message is preached, it may manifest itself in the mind of the unrepentant and would most likely encourage them to live exactly how they like, always obeying the desires of the flesh and therefore weakening the spirit. It is also true that the Lord has a benevolent love for all mankind (Matthew 5:45) but he makes it abundantly clear that he abhors sin and his people must come to full repentance before Salvation. The soul that receives this message of love without the baptism of the spirit will reach only a 'superficial understanding' and they will surely remain in the wrath of God.

The true word of God and the real meaning of his agape love is rejected by so many, but nevertheless its still Gods true message. On the other hand, those that have received the gift of salvation through the son and are justified by their faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) have the promise of Gods favour and grace and as a result, are in fact blessed with the 'unconditional love' of God. So therefore the distinction becomes vital !

The pastor looked at the stranger. He felt a deep need to speak out at the rebuke but also convicted to remain still and quiet. The stranger continued: Gods true Church lives in the hearts of the believers, those that are in the body of Christ. Some may feel they will find Gods grace just because they attend a particular church, however unless the Holy Spirit lives in ones heart, no man/woman will ever find God in any church nor any Church building. A church that is spirit filled will always draw believers for worship, but it must also be seen as a hospital for sinners too as they are the ones that require the most spiritual care.

No man has the power to bring salvation to another, as only God himself can do this. So therefore its vital that those on a path to their own salvation are edified and grounded in Gods word, as after-all the sinners eternal souls remains at stake. The church as a whole may be somewhat ecclesiastical, offering advice with tithings, rules/regulations, etc. some may even have rites and rituals to guide its people, but what good are all these things without a revival of ones heart in Christ , or without the Holy Spirit. Surely then one is just following a system of church works and traditions and therefore rendering their faith as useless.

The God of creation is not in the business of throwing a warm blanket of secular love over the the unrepentant or backsliders, and neither should our teachers be in this business. May I ask said the stranger: how many of a full house heard the gospel truth today and came to true repentance? Given that only the Lord knows the true state of ones heart, shouldn’t we therefore preach a strong gospel message to edify all in sundry as opposed to cherry picking a single attribute of God which may or could eventually shipwreck ones faith. Is it not of greater value to whisper the offensive truth to a single soul of a contrite heart than to yell a superficial message if love to an eager crowd, only to gain people popularity !

The great apostle St Paul spoke with exuberance about love in 1 Corinthians 13. He defined love as greater than faith and hope, and without it we have just about nothing. He also talked about it being kind, patient and holding no account of wrongdoing . God himself has many divine attributes as well as an agape love beyond human comprehension. He is also holy, righteous, merciful, a saving God, Omnipotent , Omniscient and Omnipresent. But he is also an angry God and a God of justice and judgements. God may in a way be all about love, and in another way that love can also save us, but only unto those who believe in Christ will receive the 'unconditional love' and grace of God, unto one’s salvation.

The stranger stood up and moved towards the exit. The pastor found his voice and called after him asking him to wait ! The stranger stopped and turned. The pastor had no words…The stranger smiled, turned and left the building.

In Jesus name amen.