Love and Relationships

Before I took the ACT back in high school I went through a series of courses that prepared us for the test. One of the suggestions they offered was simply KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. I guess the more complicated students try to make it, the lower they end up scoring on the questions. Just read the question and answer what it is asking.

That bit of advice is probably pretty applicable to anything we do in life. After reading The Shack*, I've learned that God and our desire to be "stronger Christians" or live "more Christ-like" can be simplified as well. You see, with God, everything comes down to one thing: Love and relationships.

I just pulled a Jesus move there. Remember when they asked Him what the greatest commandment was? His response was, "To love God with your whole heart..." (I picture a dramatic pause as the Pharisees think of a way to trap him) "AND love your neighbor as yourself." (and He stumped them!)

Well, that's what I did: lumped two into one. But it makes sense because you can't have one without the other. Love without someone to love doesn't really make sense, and a relationship not based on love will be pretty destructive. If you are like me you will begin answering all your questions about God and faith based on these two components and you'll wonder why you didn't realize this sooner. It makes perfect sense!

It starts right with Jesus' declaration of the greatest commandment. It was to love, and then to love the ones you are in relationship with. This idea has the chance to put an end to the legalism that so many hang on to. Instead of being directed by a set of rules, each situation should be treated uniquely. We could replace the popular bracelets and say WWLD: What Would Love Do? After all, God is love. How would love respond to this situation? Is the decision I am making made out of love? Will it foster a positive relationship?

The next step would then be to learn to live loved. It's human nature to alter our answers to the questions I just mentioned in order to satisfy our desires. Question two is, "Does my lifestyle reflect that of a person that is loved unconditionally by the definition himself?" One lost in lust is not accepting the love and intimacy our creator provides in Himself. One lost in drugs or alcohol or other addictions is not accepting the love and security and peace and joy our creator provides in Himself. One tearing others down to build himself/herself up is not accepting of the love and acceptance our creator offers in Himself.

God is love, and He can do nothing apart from love. So when you are struggling to understand what it means to be more Christ-like, ask yourself what love would do. And examine your life. Are you living loved?

*This is my plug for The Shack by William P. Young. It's a fantastic book that will challenge your view of Christianity, God, faith, living Christ-like and living loved. It addresses questions about free will, preparing for the future, dealing with pain, forgiveness and much more as well as paints a unique picture of the trinity. I highly recommend it, but advise you not to read it as a Gospel but as one man's theology. Also, on the left side of this blog there is a link to a three-part video with the author. He has quite a story of how the book came to be and the third part gets into some very intriguing theology.