Way of Love
Jesus is the way. He is the way to life everlasting. He is the way to peace. He is the way to truth, justice, and right relationship with God. He is the way of love.
“This is the rule concerning anyone who kills a person and flees there for safety—anyone who kills a neighbor unintentionally, without malice aforethought. For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life. If the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as he promised on oath to your ancestors, and gives you the whole land he promised them, because you carefully follow all these laws I command you today—to love the Lord your God and to walk always in obedience to him—then you are to set aside three more cities. But if out of hate someone lies in wait, assaults and kills a neighbor, and then flees to one of these cities, Show no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
Deuteronomy 19:4-5, 8-9, 11, 13, 21
What do we learn from God's guidance? He cares about your heart. He says that if you harm someone unintentionally or without evil in your heart then there should be a place of refuge. He does not say that there are not consequences. The person who did harm will have to be away from his hometown and that is a consequence as he has to move to the city of refuge. God's guidance doesn't guarantee there will not be pain from our choices. God clearly says that the one who harms others out of evil intentions should owe due punishment. This is where we get the principle and eye for an eye. Have you considered the penalty that you should owe God for the sins committed against Him? The thought is quite humbling.
God is a just God. One insight to recognize within the balancing of scales that establishing clear expectations helps maintain peace. An eye for an eye describes balance in punishment and that balance can help both directions. The punishment is neither too lenient nor is it too harsh.
Do you see the heart of the Father in this text? Can you see how within the rules exists a way to help nurture healthy relationship? Do you see how God is setting up community in such a way that truth, justice, and righteousness are the foundations of the relationships. Can we learn to see the loving heart of the Father all the time, in all the ways He instructs, commands, disciplines, guides and speaks to us?
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”
Psalms 22:1-3, 7-8, 12, 14, 18, 26-31
Jesus quotes psalm 22 on the cross. This psalm is more than a psalm where David cries out. It is a prophetic psalm that is spoken by the Savior. It is important to take the time to learn the words of Jesus and why this psalm carries so much weight. On first hearing one might say that Jesus was expressing frustration or angst at how God is distant in His suffering. The perspective that does not look at the whole of the psalm and see the bigger picture is out of balance. How could stepping back to see the bigger picture in times of difficulty help you keep the right perspective of how God's love is still moving, working, and active?
Jesus knew the law of an eye for an eye. He knew the debt that you owe for the sins you have committed intentionally and unintentionally. Jesus chose the cross to step in and take our place. Look at all the prophetic words that came true in the psalm on the cross. Jesus was surrounded by people snarling at and mocking Him. They cast lots for his clothes. He said ahead of time that this moment would be what helps others kneel down and help others declare that He is the Savior. He said the words it is finished. He has done it. How does it help you move forward when you embrace the truth that God already knows how things will work out and He says He makes a way?
Jesus showed that the way of love is not the way of comfort. It is not the way of ease. It is the way of sacrifice and following God's will so that His purposes will be done. If Jesus endured the cross to save others, what are we willing to endure that others will be saved?
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:11, 16-18, 20-21, 23
Solomon says it is to a person's glory to overlook an offense. If this is true, how much glory is God owed for overlooking our offenses and providing a way to reconciliation with Him. How could consider how God overlooks offense help you to overlook an offense in your life?
Solomon shares great wisdom in Proverbs 19. He describes the ways to build and deepen loving relationships. He shares the way of love. He says be generous and give to the poor. He says that discipline and accountability as a parent protects your children. Many parents are party to their children's poor character and the path they follow because they ignore this truth. Solomon says the Lord's purpose prevails. The way of love is the way of victory in Christ. Learning to surrender to His authority and live for His purposes will align your life with God's unstoppable, inevitable plans. Which of these words of wisdom could you hear and apply to your life today so that you follow His ways?
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Then the king ordered...to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace...They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego...Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel ...At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service."
Daniel 1:1, 3-9, 11-12, 15, 17, 19-20
Daniel was devoted. Imagine how unfair his life must have felt. He was taken captive. He was forced into service. His name was changed and he was told how he had to live. Would it not have been easy to have a heart of offense? Would it not have been easy to abandon God in the midst of those circumstances?
Daniel demonstrates his devotion to following God's ways by choosing to do his best despite the circumstances. He trusted God. He lived for God with how he lived. He stayed true to the way of love. It is often the smaller details of our lives that have a ripple effect. It might not seem like much, but Daniel choosing to stay true to his diet was a big deal. The text says that God gave favor to him and had compassion. God gave him wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. God lifted him up as he knelt down to God's ways. Ask God to reveal any details that might seem small to you but could be important to God. See what He shares about how to follow His ways and see if He does not lift you up like Daniel as you follow Him.
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking... rather thanksgiving. No immoral, impure or greedy person...has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light...and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything"
Ephesians 5:1-5, 8-11, 15-16, 18-21
What would happen if we followed Jesus completely with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength? Did you wake up today understanding your true identity as a dearly loved child? Paul encourages us to walk in the way of love out of an understanding of who we are to Jesus. What is your value? The Old Testament teaching was an eye for an eye. A life for a life. What does it mean that Jesus gave His life for yours? What is your value to Him? Paul says you are children of the light. What does that mean to you?
Paul says that a life devoted to Christ that gives thanks to God for everything is free of all the ways of the world. The world around us says be happy, do whatever you feel like doing, and act the fool. The world says make crass jokes, swearing doesn't matter, and pursue pleasures. The world lies. You will always reap what you sow. If you sow seeds of greed, immorality, obscenity, or selfishness, what do you think you will reap? God is teaching us that the way of love pays attention to the small and large details. How you talk matters. How you live matters. Paul says live wisely not unwisely. He says don't get drink on wine, but be filled with the Spirit.
We should all give thanks to God in heaven that He did not make us pay an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, or life for life. It is easy to want to administer justice to others when you are wronged, but what about when you are the one who has done wrong. The Golden Rule of do unto others what you want done to you was written for when people fall short and have done wrong. How do you want to be treated when you have done wrong? God's way of love teaches us to forgive, overlook offense, and seek restoration.
How do we do this? By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and with hearts that are full of gratitude. One of the best prayers you can pray today is Thank you Father. Thank you for sending your Son in my place. Thank you for paying the penalty of my sin. Thank you for empowering me to be part of your purposes. Thank you for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do as you love me. Thank you that you call me your dearly loved child. Lead me in your ways. The ways of love.