Reflecting on love and how it makes the world better

Metro Creative Connection

The apostle John lays it out clearly: “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).

According to this standard, the reason today’s world is in such short supply of knowing God is because today’s world is in such short supply of love for one another.

What is love, from a biblical perspective? Love is caring for the needs of others even as we would care for our own needs. Love is the deliberate choice to seek the well-being of others, even when it is difficult. Love is exercising patience, kindness and forgiveness toward others. Love is a sacrificial commitment made on behalf of others beyond our own self-interest.

What a difference that is from what we tend to experience in the world around us. Charles Martin puts it this way: “Let me say this directly: Indifference is the curse of this age. We need to hear that. Indifference is evil, and it could not be further from the heart of God. Don’t think so? Let me point you to the Cross. Hanging there, Jesus was anything but indifferent.”

Indifference is fueled by fear — fear of getting involved, fear of the unknown and fear of what might happen to me. But, as the apostle John points out, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

John Perkins stresses, “Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.”

Love lives within the Trinity. Love is what God pours out to us. We abide most fully in God when we live most fully a life of love.

Pope Francis said it beautifully: “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself; and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other … Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”

I invite you to make the world around you a bit better by taking the risk of acting with love in your daily life. As John Pavlovitz challenges us, “At the end of your time here, the world will either be more or less kind, compassionate, generous, funny, creative and loving because of your presence in it — and you alone get to choose.”

Editor’s note: Tom Tripp is a retired pastor. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.