Love and Nonviolence: the heart and message of the cross

THE HEART AND MESSAGE OF THE CROSS Daniel Keeran, Victoria, Canada

LOVE AND NONVIOLENCE

LOVE AND NONVIOLENCE: THE HEART AND MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

prepared by Daniel Keeran, Victoria, Canada

Christians possess the most powerful weapon against terrorism such as ISIS. That weapon is love!

Yet we do not know how to use love in this conflict. We use love by dying for our enemies just as our Leader died for us when we were his enemies when he could have destroyed us.

“And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:24 "God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:5 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. " - Romans 5:8 "Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!" – Romans 5:9 "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" - Romans 5:10 ......... for more New Testament words related to nonviolence click here …….. and visit the following URL for How To Become A Christian www.box.com/lovegod

The Love of God: A Meditation prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, BC And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. – 1 John 4:16

When judged, we tend to judge in return. How can we transform our judgment and condemnation of others into caring and compassion for them?

What does the cross teach us?

At the heart of our faith is the cross, and at the heart of the cross is the love of God who suffered for our offenses. The cross teaches us to love and care for those who offend us. This kind of love is so against our emotional custom that sometimes we can’t see it. We can’t grasp it. The next time you are offended, remember this Lord’s Supper and remember these words: John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son...

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:8-10 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son. Remember these words of the Master when he said: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28 2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:19-21 We love because he first loved us.... Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

The prophet Isaiah said of Christ in chapter 53 of his book: “By oppression and judgment he was taken away.” Yet when Jesus was suffering mockery and condemnation on the cross, he said, “Father forgive them.....” (Luke 23:34). And Peter observed of Christ that “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 3:23).

Peter precedes those words with this in 1 Peter 3:20-22: “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

Paul says in Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” and “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). He says in Ephesians 6:12 - “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood….”

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Let’s pray: For the Bread God, give us grace and mercy to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we have been loved. Thank you for this bread that reminds us of the suffering love of Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us and offered forgiveness even while we were offending him. Teach us your love, your compassion, your gentleness, your caring and concern even for those who offend us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For the Cup Lord, thank you for this cup that reminds us of the blood of Christ that forgives our sins. Give us courage to forgive and love one another as you have forgiven and loved us. In the name of the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Amen.

Thought Questions 1. Scenario: A threatening man demands you commit one of the following sins in order to save a life.

What sin would you be willing to commit to save a life?

1. adultery or other sexual sin 2. rob a bank 3. deny Christ 4. kill the threatening man before he can kill anyone 5. kill a different bad man 6. other sin 2. Why did God destroy people for sin in the Old Testament but not in the New Testament? (hint: the cross) How does this affect our relationship with the threatening man in the above scenario?

3. Was Jesus nonviolent in his suffering and death? Are we called to follow?

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps....When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. - 1 Peter 3:22-23

The God of love is reaching out to you right now http://www.box.com/lovegod