“The fruit of the Spirit is love, ….” – Galatians 5:22

Our world is broken. All you need to do is to look at the news, social media, or out the window and you know it’s true. Since The Fall of Man our world has been under a cover of darkness and the power of the Evil One.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:18-25

Over the last few months there has been extreme loss. In my life, in my relationships, in the institutions I had thought stable, and in the world at large. By extreme loss I mean not only the loss or attack on these things but also physical death as well.

There has been an unleashing of unspeakable horror in the world in ways I have not experienced before in my lifetime. And, I have come to understand that no area of my life is immune. The last few weeks have been the full manifestation of John 10:10.

As we struggle to deal with this unleashing of the spirit of death and loss, we all as Christians seek to reconcile the words of Jesus with our personal experience of it. And we ask the question, "What is the fruit of love in turbulent times?"

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48

What does it really mean to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you? When you are in pain and have experienced trauma repeatedly, not just in one area but across a broad spectrum of your life, how do we love our enemies? What does that mean?

I don’t have all the answers but I am curious and so I have some questions to ask and some thoughts to provide.

The Greek word for love used in these passages is agape. Generally considered the highest form of love. It is love that is committed, gives sacrificially, and undeservedly. It is love that transcends action and experience. It is love that acts despite a lack of reciprocation.

This is the way God loves us. This is grace. Unmerited, unconditional love. [NOTE: I use the term “murder” below. It is meant a generic term for all forms of harm that come against us and others.]

Does that mean that mean we let the murderer sleep in our guest room? No.

Does it mean that when we know there is a murderer coming our way, that we are not vigilant, wary, and protective of ourselves and others? No.

Does it mean that we are to allow the murderer to continue to commit murder? No.

Does it mean that, if they truly repent, they should not have to experience the consequences of their prior life? No.

What it does mean is that we are to truly desire for the murderer to be redeemed. That they would turn from their murderous activity, be healed of their wounds, and repent of their brokenness. In Christianese – that they would come to a saving knowledge of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And yet, there are still consequences that must be endured by the perpetrator.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. – Romans 6:20-21 ESV

I use the extreme example of an murderer because it’s easier for us to extrapolate down to lesser transgressions than up to greater ones.

Love is not appeasement or excuse. Love in the context Jesus is exhorting us is, always and in every situation, wanting the best for those who are against us. Not vengeance. Not hate or loathing. Not retribution or retaliation.

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:22-23

The love Jesus calls us to is wanting the best for our enemies. And the best is Jesus himself.

Does this mean we can’t acknowledge and address the pain or trauma caused? Absolutely not! We must. For, if we do not, we become bound to it and give the devil a foothold. – Ephesians 4:26-27

Death and loss must be grieved. It is the God given process through which our finite, mortal hearts align with the God of the universe to be healed and restored. The pain and trauma are real. There is no excuse and no avoidance. I will say it again; death and loss, no matter the form it takes, must be grieved. Without grief there is no resolution. Without grief there can be no healing.

When we experience death or loss and the resulting pain and trauma where do we go? The World will always lead us to extremes. Run away and hide, stick your head in the sand of our lives and stuff the emotion … Or fight back! Make them pay. Make them bleed. A twisted version of Matthew 6:31, “Do unto others what they have done to you!”

However, as followers of Jesus of Nazareth, we are to take our sorrow and pain to him – honestly and completely. We take the death and loss to him even when we have no explanation and don’t understand. We go to Jesus because, as Peter said when life and Jesus’ teaching began to get hard and many of his followers left him,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68-69

Without Jesus there can be no resolution, and healing is a longshot at best. There is nowhere else to go but to Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit is love and the fruit of that love is Jesus. No matter what.

Three Miles Per Hour!

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THE TOV HEART: God's Design for a Life Rooted in What Matters Most 

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It is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed and challenged to look for more with God - Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. No matter how much you think you have, there is always MORE! Godspeed!

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