Core Conviction 4 | People Loving

To read previous core convictions, check out the links below:

CORE CONVICTION 1 | Jesus Treasuring
CORE CONVICTION 2 | His-Story Honoring
CORE CONVICTION 3 | Disciple Making

If we are a local church in Worcester who treasures Jesus, honors His story, and continues to obey Him in making disciples, then we will mirror God's love for us and obey Jesus' command to love people. Let's get specific. We will not only love people in general; we will love our neighbors. 

In Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon's book, "The Art of Neighboring," they share a story about a group of pastors in Denver who met with their local mayor and an assistant city manager to ask how they could serve their community. The answer they heard was:

"The majority of issues that our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbors."

The pastors' reaction: "(That's) a teaching found in Matthew 22:37-40 and repeated in the Bible for the purpose of reminding us how important it is. In Galatians 5:14 the apostle Paul says it most succinctly: 'The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'' ... Could it be that simple? If so, then Jesus is a genius! He is asked to pick one commandment that is more important than all the others. And he shares something that would change the world, if only every person who believes in Jesus would actually do it."

Then they met with the assistant city manager. She said:

"From the city's perspective, there isn't a noticeable difference in how Christians and non-Christians neighbor in our community."

Ouch. Would Worcester's mayor or assistant city manager say the same thing? Would your city's or town's? Is this the way Jesus wanted it to be? 

Core Conviction 4 | People Loving

      A Church Where Loving God Means We Purposefully Love Our Neighbors 

If we say we follow Jesus in how we love God and love our neighbors, then we will strive to walk with Him, listen to Him, and obey Him daily through getting to know our neighbors, having them over for dinner, opening our lives to them, etc. 

And the great thing is, when we really start to do this, any of our self-righteous effort or strength will get sapped quickly. I think this is one of the reasons why Jesus and Paul described loving our neighbors as a summary of God's great commands. When we strive to obey, we will be reminded again and again that we need the gospel all the time and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). Tim Keller gives this powerful summary of what the gospel is and what it does: 

"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. This is the only kind of relationship that will really transform us. Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God's saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God's mercy and grace."

So here's some truth in love based on this gospel: Jesus has saved us to be much better neighbors to the people God has given us to love. This includes people in the houses next door, in the front and back, to the right and left, as well as throughout our neighborhood. When we experience Jesus' gospel in a life-changing way – His strength and power alone overcoming our weaknesses – we will share our lives with our neighbors unabashedly because Jesus has simply done too much in our lives not to. Doesn't matter if they are religious or irreligious, theologians or social activists, traditionalists or progressives, conservatives or liberals. Jesus has transformed us from the inside out so that we can receive the Father's love and regularly pour that love by His Spirit into the lives of those around us who don't think like us, act like us, talk like us, live like us, or love like us. We know He wants us to pour into their lives. That's why we live in the dorm, apartment, condo, or house that we do. That's why we go to school or have the job that we do. We've been moved to where we are because He moved first to be with us.

"The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14).

If we are to be Jesus' church who thinks, acts, talks, lives, and loves like Him, we need to be able to honestly say we are obeying His commands. But would our neighbors – those Jesus has placed us by – say we have truly moved into their lives? 

"Then Jesus said...'When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:12-14).

"Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:13b-18).

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10).

Check back later this week for CORE CONVICTION 5 | DIVERSITY CELEBRATING

– Sully

Curiosity piqued? Something inside you being stirred? Go ahead and connect.