Stephen spoke this morning from 1 John 4:9-10 on the differences between human love and God’s love. Human love is delicate, easily broken. Agreements between countries to co-exist in peace can be easily shattered; marriages can break down; family rifts and sibling rivalry all show the fragility of human love. Advent love is divine love, which is not delicate or fragile, but robust and strong. God’s love is unfailing, unchanging and everlasting.
God’s love cannot be measured or fathomed, but is shown in God’s giving of His Son, which we celebrate particularly at Christmas. His love redresses the balance and is proactive, achieving results. God’s love goes further than our understanding, but helps to heal our hurts and wounds like an analgesic cream.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood‘s song ‘The Power of Love’ speaks of ‘the power of love, a force from above, cleaning my soul.‘ God’s sacrificial love puts right the wrongs caused by sin and helps us to live in the power of God’s love, not in the fragility of our own human love. God wants us to love as He loves. As we experience and live out His love, we can fulfil the challenge to love even as He loves. This kind of love is not just for Advent. It is for every day of our lives.
