In the writings of James, Paul and John we might get confused as to what the true focus of God's love is. James stresses God's love in the area of justice because he was addressing second generation Christians whose moral vigor had faded. God's just love not only sees individuals in their misery, but inquires as to the causes of that misery and then seeks to do something about it. James challenges them to "not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James is interested in a faith that shows itself in practical acts of love.
John stresses truth because he was warning Christians against certain doctrinal heresies. He says, "If we claim to have fellowship with God yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." John's harshness toward ungodliness was motivated by God's love that seeks to tear away a veil preventing the truth to be seen. John knew God's love doesn't allow for teaching contrary to God's truth.
Paul stressed grace because he was dealing with false teachers trying to reintroduce the law of Moses as the standard of righteousness. Paul knew if grace was removed from the center of understanding God's love, justice would become rigid and truth distorted. Nothing we can do can make God love us more. God's unconditional love, seen in his grace, is what calls us to him for salvation.
What we see from this is true love expresses itself in a variety of ways depending on the need of the moment. Overemphasizing any aspect of God's love in truth, grace, or justice causes us to be lacking in the other areas. As we go about reflecting the love of God, we need to ask ourselves what aspect of God's love needs to be used in this situation. Would it be an expression of his compassion in justice, his trustworthiness seen in truth, or his love shown in his respect of all people as seen in his grace?
Come see us Sunday. We will explore the practical applications of God's love for our world today...
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