While I was presenting a Bible study to a group of people, a young man made a statement which left me thinking. He said, “Seventh-Day Adventist consider themselves doctors in Theology, but I think they still need to understand the real meaning of love.” Driving home I recalled other brothers’ words - unfortunatelly some of them are ex-Adventists - who likewise complained of a lack of love at church.
After getting home I immediately got my Bible and read 1 Corinthians 13, “The Psalm of Love”, trying to find out an answer to the question, “What love is this, they say, we do not have?”
I read those so deep thirteen verses repeatedly. I read them carefully because some times we are at risk of passing by very important concepts by thinking we know enough about a text. Some truths were immediately highlighted:
- In verse 2 it is written that even though we possess any spiritual gift, great scientific knowlegde and faith enough to move mountains, if we do not have love, these will be worthless.
- In verse 3 Paul says that even if we give all our possess to the poor and surrender our bodies to the flames, and have not love, we will gain nothing.
- At the end of the chapter the apostle concludes saying that love is greater than faith and hope.
However, the verses 4 to 7 were the ones which called my attention better. There are many similarities between them and the verses that describe the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Check them:
1 Corinthians 13: love
is kind,
it does not boast,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
rejoices with the truth,
bears, believes, endures and hopes all things.
Galatians 5:22: the fruit of the Spirit is
kindness,
self-control,
goodness,
patience/gentleness,
faithfulness,
peace.
Such great similarity is no mere coincidence. The very same word love is the virtue which is on top of the list of Galatians 5:22. And whether love is one of the “segments” of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, even if we struggle, we never will be able to accomplish it. There are no strategies or methods which can make us love our brothers.
Love comes from the Holy Spirit of God. Hence, there cannot be love without communion with God. The right thing is not to say, “The Church needs more love.” Actually, this is quite obvious. Nevertheless, our greatest need is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. A worship filled with words of command or commotion is worthless, as well this can be seen as forcing others to be friendly: “Let’s shake hands with the person who is by our side.” The joy of praise and the friendliness of people will only exist as each one seeks the Holy Spirit.
Many members leave church declaring a lack of love from brothers. Others say that church is very “slow”, “boring” and “lukewarm”. Could it be a lack of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives?
After my conversion, which was over 15 years ago, I realized that not everything was perfect (not including the doctrines) at the church I loved and still love. But I also realized that my love for Jesus and my conviction of the truth overcame all problems. If we love Jesus and if we are convinced of the truth, nothing, including a lack of love, can separate us from His Church. (Otherwise, where would we go?)
Love and happiness are part of the fruit of the Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit dwelling in the temple of our heart. However, how can that be? The “disciple of love” gives us the answer. In his third letter, John makes reference to Gaius, as a model of faithfulness and love for the members of the Church, a man who walked “in the truth” (verse 3). John also mentions Demetrius, who is “well spoken of by everyone — and even by the truth itself” (verse 12). In a letter which deals with the practical application of Christianity in the individual life, John relates love to the truth.
That is unquestionable evidence that there cannot be love in the forced submission to the principles of the Bible. Christ Himself said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Consider this: love and obedience to the truth are, once more, hand in hand. Truth without love is cold and formal, right, but not cherished. Love without truth is bad conducted and dishonest. Therefore, as Ellen White wrote, “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” (Ministry of Healing, p. 470).
Obedience through comunion with Christ: that’s the secret. By keeping a living relationship with Jesus, we can take part in the divine nature (1 Peter 1:4). That can make us feel a true and disinterested love for each other. “If the divine harmony of truth and love exists in the heart, it will shine forth in words and actions...” (Adventist Home, p. 426).
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).
In this text, the verb “look at” (Theomai) is different from the verb “see” (Horao) and it means an extensive experience to find something or someone. Thus, “the sinful thoughts are kept away, the bad actions resigned; love, humbleness, and peace replace anger, envy and disputes. Happiness replaces sadness, and the face reflects the divine light” (The Desire of the Ages, p. 173).
This is the secret of true love.
Written by Michelson Borges, journalist and writer from Brazil Publishing House
Translated by Maria Cristina Reis Goulart (reiscrismg@hotmail.com)
