Lesson 11: Following Jesus Toward Unity

Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. But there's always one more way we could worship God, and there's always one more person we could serve. So, how do we know when we have loved enough?

To be freed from the guilt, shame, and exhaustion of performance-based love as God's love transforms us into mature, wise, and consistently loving disciples of Jesus.

Exhausted

In Mark 6:30-53, Mark tells us that so many were coming to Jesus that the disciples didn't have time to eat. So, Jesus invites them to get away and rest.

But before they can reach a remote place, a large crowd runs ahead to meet them. Though the disciples were already exhausted, Jesus teaches the crowds all day long. By now, the disciples are likely even hungrier and ready to send the crowd away.

We know the two great commandments are to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

But what happens when you take these commands seriously? There's always one more thing you can do to honor God. There's always someone in a ditch who could use the helping hand of a Good Samaritan.

The Infinite Demands of Love

Consider everyone that God wants us to love: God, Members of our church, Our family, Our neighbors, Our enemies, Ourselves, Those in authority, The poor, hungry, sick, imprisoned, widows, orphans, and the oppressed, and Everyone who does not know Christ.

But the global population is over eight billion people; approximately 700 million people live in extreme poverty.

So, at what point can a faithful Christian say, "I have done enough to love my neighbor"?

Avoiding Love

It is much easier to convince ourselves that we are loving than it is to put our love into action.

Theoretical Love

It's much easier to post on social media than sit with a friend who is overwhelmed with grief. How have we replaced actually loving people with learning about love?

Comfortable Love

The disciples wanted to give the crowd directions to buy their own food, but Jesus wanted them to personally deliver their meals.

Burning Out

When we love to the point of bitterness, what's the net effect? Though no one likes to be exhausted, there are some benefits! Once we're spent, we can justify not helping anymore.

Spiritual Games

Since infinite love is impossible, we turn to spiritual alternatives. For instance, legalism tries to manage the cost of love by giving us a series of manageable rules to follow.

Loved to Love

Our problem started as soon as we saw love as a performance, a task, or a checklist. As long as 'being loving' is our strategy to avoid guilt, shame, or punishment, then we're stuck at the start.

This is the paradox of our lives: we are habituated to love in order to get love.

But Jesus is inviting us to experience grace: to receive his love so that we might love.

We can do nothing apart from Jesus, but we can do everything he asks of us when we are connected to his life and love.

Abide in Me by Rend Collective

Rend Collective is a folk rock worship band from Northern Ireland.

My heavenly Father, I thank you that you have loved me, do love me, and will always love me. Help me to find my identity in being your beloved child.

Jesus, you are the true vine, my only source of life and love. I can't do anything apart from you. Help me to abide in you and live by the strength you give me.

Holy Spirit, I want you to produce the fruit of love in my life and our community. Fill us with your love so that we can love as you love.