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So why bother

So, why bother?

 

Introduction

  1. What happens when you become indifferent over time? You stop believing in love. You become an unloving person. You become cynical.

  2. Cynicism is the belief that everyone is just interested in themselves. No one really cares. So, why bother?

  3. Cynics no longer believe in the power of love. Love is just a useless emotion for them. They no longer believe that it can bring about good in everyone and everything. People don’t say this outwardly. But they act or do not act based on this.

  4. The Bible actually prophesies this will happen as we near the end of the age.

    1. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold… (Matthew 24:12)

    2. But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves… (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

    3. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4)

  5. The Bible says that love will no longer be central in people’s lives, even among believers. But you might say, “But this is not true of me! I believe in love. I love people.” It’s hard to tell people that they are cynics about love.

  6. Perhaps the problem is in our definition of love. We tend to misunderstand it. We often associate love with “feelings of love” that we have for people. So, naturally, it can, and often it will come and go.

  7. But this kind of “love” cannot overcome the challenges of love.

THREE DEFINITIONS

  1. Love is a hidden motivation.
    31b And yet I will show you the most excellent way. 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

    People may not know our true motivations. We may do certain things that may seem good and commendable to them, but God knows our true hearts. Although we cannot be perfect, we can strive to be honest with ourselves before the Lord. Just because you are doing good things does not mean you are doing them in love. The way of love is the ideal way. Whatever we say or do, we must say or do them in love before the Lord, even if it may be hidden from people.

  2. Love is a selfless decision.
    4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

    Real love is always other-centered. It always seeks what is good for the other person, and what he or she needs, in accordance with the truth, and not just what is convenient or preferable for us. Thus, it is sacrificial in nature, a selfless kind of love, just like the love of Jesus Christ for us. It is therefore important to base our understanding of love on the Person of Jesus Christ. His way of relating should be our way of relating with others.

  3. Love is an enduring action.
    8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

    Real love is not dependent on circumstances. It endures and never fails. Even during tough times, real love can still be seen. Everything else will have its expiry date, but real love remains. We cannot simply just love people (showing them by our actions) during pre-covid times. We must love them even more now. We must serve them and think about what is good for them, even though it is difficult to do so right now.

    Conclusion

  1. “ONLY REAL LOVE CAN OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF LOVE.”

  2. Let’s make it our goal to practice real love in our lives. This is the only kind of love, which comes from God, and exemplified in Christ, that can overcome all the challenges of love.
  3. Examine your motives in what you are doing. Are they loving? Examine your actions. Are they selfless or selfish? Examine your actions. Are they enduring in the midst of various circumstances? Or are you only practicing love during good times and not hard times?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.How do most people, including Christians, understand love nowadays?

2.What new insights about love have you learned today and why are they important?

3.How will you apply what you have learned today?

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