CLAY CENTER – When a man picks up a gun in anger and then points it at his enemy and pulls the trigger – hate wins. When one abuses the levers of power to silence opponents – hate wins. When one spews vile insults at their foe – hate wins. Martin Luther King, Jr once said, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
What kind of love can conquer selfish hatred? A love that is pure, holy, undefiled and has never been touched by evil. I speak of a love that comes from another dimension in time and space. A divine holy love that exists in the One who sits on the throne of the universe in the celestial city among the stars. The Lord God created the heavens and earth out of this love, and fashioned man and woman together, but soon evil found its way into the human heart. They rejected His love and embraced the darkness. Eventually, evil took hold of the world and hate abounded everywhere. Then in time, the God of light and love chose a people and began to teach them about Himself.
He told them, “…it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand…from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:8) He also taught them to love Him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might…and keep…his commandments always.” (Duet 6:5, 11:1) And He taught them to love one another, “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) Then at the right time, He revealed His marvelous love to the world on Christmas Day, “For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) For three years Jesus went about manifesting the love of God through His teachings, signs and wonders. But hate raised its ugly face and sought to silence the voice of love and truth. Anger, violence and wickedness nailed Jesus to a tree and buried Him in a tomb. Then three days later, the love of God came bursting forth from that grave. Love won!
Today, the message of God’s love and truth continues around the world. It is a love unlike any other. It is loyal, sacrifices, it is pure, exposes evil, disciplines and corrects, overcomes evil with good and is a love that forgives. The song, “The Love of God” says it best, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell…O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure: the saints’ and angels’ song!
This love of God compels us to love others, to love as He loves, especially those who are the most difficult. For Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34) What is God’s message to a world that is filled with violence and vulgarity? Stop! Do not let hate win. There is a better way. Quit returning evil for evil. The love of Jesus has shown us a different path. Turn from the darkness and toward heaven’s light and love. See Jesus lifted high upon a cross. See how He rose from the dead for you. Call out for a touch of His grace and mercy. Do it this very hour, then watch His divine love be poured into your heart and be changed forever. Love wins!
A prayer for you – Lord God, let us behold your divine love. Show us afresh the wonderful cross. Then help us to love as you would have us to. In Jesus name. Amen.
