On Love and Religion, Part One
On Love and Religion, Part Three
2. Love
Again, the majority of those not involved in a religion view religion as an organized institution seeking to impose its beliefs and practices upon someone else. Another thing Christians do to separate themselves from this conception is to say something like this:
“It’s not about laws, it’s about love.”
While this is true, this may also be misrepresenting the Christian religion to nonbelievers. No one should have the impression that Christ won’t expect things from those who call Him their Savior.
Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Leviticus 19:2: “…Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Now, love is indeed the foundation of all things pertaining to our religion. The Apostle Paul says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains…though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned…and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
The statement “It’s not about laws, it’s about love” seems to create a false dilemma, where one feels he must choose between the two. But the reality is:
1. God’s love for man motivates man to love God. 1 John 4:19: “We love him, because he first loved us.”
2. Man’s love for God will motivate him to obedience / good works. John 14:21: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me (Jesus)…”
Conclusion: In the Christian’s intention to separate themselves from a nonbeliever’s perspective of religion, they may be misrepresenting their religion to them by saying “It’s not about laws, it’s about love.” Because there really are laws that must be followed by those who cal themselves Christians, but the adherence to these laws without love is useless, and love is the motivational factor of adherence
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