The Love Challenge

Dear Pastor/Ministry Leader:

How did you respond to all the buzz during the mid-term elections? How are you responding to the political and social debate occurring in our society? Are you waiting for it to pass hoping that its just a fad that will fade away or are you ambivalent to everything that is happening? Whatever the case may be or the situation you find yourself in, you don't have to be silent or helpless anymore.

There is a word that God has given us as ministers of the gospel and ambassadors for Christ. That word is summed up in this one statement: “Love others as you love yourself” (MSG). Imagine if we loved others the way we want to be loved? Most people want to be loved by others valuing them, accepting them, listening to them and giving them a sense of belonging. 

In Greek and Roman culture most people were familiar with 2 primary types of love, eros and phileo love.  

?         Eros is a physical love of self-gratification; it is a love that only takes.

?         Phileo is a brotherly love of affection and fondness; it is a love that gives and takes.

But Jesus has given us a different type of love, agape love. God’s love abides in us, as God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us, and to abide in His love if we truly love Him. Everyone will recognize that we are followers of Christ—when they see us loving one other.  Whether we vote republican or democrat, are conservative or progressive, we must agape one another. 

?         Agape is a love solely for the well being of others; it is a love that only gives.

Today I am giving you a Love Challenge! Agape your neighbor (Lev 19:18, Mark 12:31), agape your enemy (Matt 5:43-45a), agape those that disagree with you and agape the sojourner/immigrant (Lev 19:33-34).

While the world is divided and pitted against each other politically, socially, culturally, economically and religiously, we are assigned to be a prophetic voice calling for unity in the Body of Christ and our world, and modeling it. As prophetic proclaimers with a gospel of reconciliation we have every opportunity to Start a Love Train. 

The Love Train was a song sung by the O’Jays, a R&B group back in 60’s, 70’s. Perhaps these lyrics can ring true for us today:

People all over the world…Join hands

Start a love train, love train

People all over the world…Join hands

Start a love train, love train

The next stop that we make will be soon

Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too

Don't you know that it's time to get on board

And let this train keep on riding, riding on through

People all over the world (you don't need no money)

Join hands (come on)

Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on)

People all over the world (Join in, ride this train)

Join in (Ride this train, y'all)

Start a love train (Come on, train), love train

All of you brothers over in Africa

Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too

Please don't miss this train at the station

'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you

People all over the world (Sisters and brothers)

Join hands (join, come on)

Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on)

People all over the world (Don't need no tickets)

Join hands (come on, ride)

Start a love train, love train! 

Every stop you make, every station you take give the invitation to others and Start a Love Train. This is my Love Challenge to you! No need to be silent, helpless or ambivalent anymore. This Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas season and beyond, preach the message of love. For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Isn’t this what Christmas is all about?! 

Call your people to love, nothing more nothing less. Let me know how things are going and how your messages are being received!  Shalom.