Pastor's Blog
The Rev. John T. Heidgerd
The Abundance of Love
Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)
This weekend we conclude a six-week sermon series on the ways in which we experience God’s abundance. Throughout the series we have witnessed through God’s words the myriad ways we receive abundance, can expect abundance and channel abundance toward others. When the world acts in ways that are fearful and see things as scarce, the people of God offer a different point of view because we know a God of abundance.
This attitude of abundance is what we learn from the stories of God throughout history. The God who created a universe of abundance, filled with good things for God’s people – enough for everyone to have what they need with more left over for those who have not yet come to know our abundant God.
This attitude of abundance feeds our faith so that we overcome our fears to “walk on water” with Jesus. We can count on Jesus abundant presence so that we don’t need to be afraid to step out in faith.
We have learned of a God that never runs out of forgiveness for people that don’t always do what God wants. God offers us abundant forgiveness, so that we will share God’s mercy with others – even those who we might call enemies. Living a life of abundant forgiveness leads to abundant life.
God’s abundance is shown in the many gifts we receive from God and use them for the building up of others and of the church. Each of us has been blessed by God to offer ourselves in abundance.
We have learned of a God can reclaim the worst of human behavior and make it a symbol for abundant life. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly and showed us this through his death on the cross, then his victory over death by his resurrection.
All of this leads to the utmost expression of abundance we receive from God - the abundance of love. The verse John 3:16 expresses the abundance of God’s love in the very best way: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” The bible shows us that time and time again, God’s people rebel and run away from God’s love. We engage in unhealthy behaviors, follow the temptations of other gods, seek revenge against another of God’s children instead of offering forgiveness. We take when we should give. We fear when we should be bold. We hate when we should show love. We judge when we should be patient. Yet, no matter what God still loves the world – in abundance.
That is what inspired Paul to write in his letter to the Romans that we should “owe no one anything except to love one another”. Because God chooses to love us, in spite of anything we do wrong, when we are wronged, God asks that we show love to each other – a love that is sourced, not in our own hearts, but in the heart of a loving and merciful God. Love, then becomes the fulfillment of the law, because it is God’s truest identity. All God’s commandments must be seen through the lens of love, so they become not duties to resent, but ways in which our lives can reflect to others the abundant love God has for us.
My friends, the history of the world shows that this is not an easy thing. Hatred, fear, vengeance and death poor out of ancient wounds. We never seem to learn that a response of violence only brings about greater violence. Wars don’t lead to peace – they always sow seeds of vengeance. The way of abundance shows us a better – loving and hopeful way- one that can end the cycle of bitterness that seems to dominate this world that God loves.
Jesus said to his disciples “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” I’ve heard this often used to comfort ourselves when attendance at a church event seems disappointing. However, I don’t think that is what Jesus meant. Instead, I think Jesus was pointing out that in small acts of love – in small ways of bearing an attitude of abundance – that is where there is potential to show the world the power of abundant love – the love that God shows the world.
