Love in the Midst of Our Suffering

The Call to Authentic Christian Community

In a world often marked by pain and hardship, how are we called to respond as followers of Christ? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is love. Not the fleeting, emotional love portrayed in Hollywood romances, but a deep, abiding love that perseveres even in the face of adversity.

This love is not dependent on circumstances or feelings. It's not a linear equation where A plus B equals C, and C equals love. Instead, it's a constant state of being, flowing from who we are in Christ. We are to love because we have received the love of God, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

But why is this emphasis on love so crucial, especially during times of suffering? When pain intensifies, there's a natural reflex to pull back, to circle the wagons and focus inward. Left unchecked, our hearts can turn in on themselves, leading us to become more selfish versions of our former selves. This inward focus can cause us to lose our first love and stop loving one another as we should.

The call to love one another is not just a nice suggestion – it's a biblical imperative. In 1 Peter 1:22, we're instructed to "love one another earnestly from a pure heart." This love is described in three key ways:

1. Honestly (or sincerely): This is authentic love, without pretense or hypocrisy. It's not acting or being emotionally dishonest.

2. Zealously (or earnestly): This implies enthusiasm, devotion, and fervency. It's a picture of going all out, all in, with all the energy, time, discipline, and sacrifice required to truly love.

3. Wholeheartedly (from a pure heart): This refers to loving from our whole redeemed person, with a heart that has been cleansed and made whole by God.

But why should we love in this way, especially when we're going through personal hardships? The text provides three compelling reasons:

1. We have been consecrated to God through obedience to the truth. Our sins have been forgiven, allowing us to love others from a pure heart.

2. We have been regenerated through the living word. When we are born again into God's kingdom, we are enabled to love as He loves.

3. God's word is permanent, and our exile is temporary. No matter how severe our current suffering may seem, it is light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us.

So how does loving one another help us during our times of exile and suffering? First, it prompts us to prioritize community and the sacred assembly. When suffering starts, our instinct might be to pull away, but that's precisely when we need our spiritual family the most.

Consider the story of a couple whose newborn son faced life-threatening complications at birth. Despite the trauma and exhaustion, they chose to be with their church family the very next Sunday. Why? Because, as the father put it, "I don't want to be anywhere else. These are my people, and I love them." The pain and shared experience only intensified the bond of love within the community.

Secondly, we need to order our love to be truly helpful. Our text specifically instructs us about love for our brothers and sisters in the faith. This doesn't mean we don't love others, but it does imply a priority. Our first love belongs to God, then our spouse (if married), then our spiritual family, our neighbors, and finally, strangers. This ordered love ensures that we're able to provide the most appropriate and effective support to those around us.

Lastly, we must preach the gospel. The text concludes by reminding us that "this word is the good news that was preached to you." If we truly love those in the world who don't know Christ, the greatest act of love we can show them is to share the life-changing message of the gospel.

As we navigate the challenges and sufferings of life, let's remember that we are called to love not just when circumstances are ideal, but right in the middle of our mess. We love because we have been loved by God, cleansed from our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ, and made righteous in Him.

This call to love is not easy. It requires vulnerability, sacrifice, and perseverance. There will be times when we feel ill-equipped, times when we're selfish and don't want to love, times when we're worried about depleting our own resources. But that's precisely why we need to rely on God's strength and the support of our spiritual family.

In the end, the love we're called to demonstrate is not just a feeling or an action – it's a reflection of who we are in Christ. It's a love that can withstand the harshest storms of life because it's rooted in the unchanging character of God.

So, let us love one another earnestly from a pure heart. Let us prioritize our spiritual community, order our love appropriately, and never cease to share the good news of the gospel. For in doing so, we not only obey God's command but also find strength, comfort, and purpose in the midst of our suffering.

May we be known as people who love deeply, authentically, and persistently – not because life is perfect, but because the God we serve is perfect in His love for us.