Advent for Christian Leaders, Part 5: Sweet Love

🎶 "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love; Not just for some, but for everyone..." 🎶

These lyrics are from the well-known song "What the World Needs Now Is Love," written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach. In the 1960s the legendary pair started writing this song, but Hal Davis was stuck. He hit a wall attempting to write the rest of the lyrics to the song. For two years he struggled to finish.

One day, on a car ride to meet his partner Burt, it hit him. The song was a message, a prayer, to God! In the midst of the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement, this song rose to be the chorus of America. Echoing what God had been saying since the beginning of time.

God gives us His definition of love in John 3:16, which says,

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

His love is one that withholds nothing, it sacrifices everything, and only asks for belief in return. Now that's "sweet love!"

Agape Love

The fourth theme of Advent - LOVE - has many different types. Some examples include philia (brotherly or sisterly affection/friendship), storge (family affection), eros (romantic affection), and agape (unconditional affection). God's love represents "agape." This form of love is a deep, enduring, selfless, sacrificial, and unwavering affection.

It is what made it possible for Him to send His Son to save us - people that sin, don't always obey, and sometimes question His motives. Yet, He loved us so much He was willing to cover our imperfections with His love - before we could even ask for it. 1 Peter 4:8 (AMP) puts it this way:

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].

Wow. What a controversial take for the world we live in. Love that isn't based on conditions or what you can gain from proximity. Love that doesn't give up on the first misunderstanding. Love that doesn't seek itself first. Love that actively seeks the best for others. It's not common, but neither is God.

God gave us an example of how we are to love. He modeled what it means to love sacrificially, unselfishly, deeply, and with an unwavering, deep, and enduring affection. He gave us the blueprint through the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son. Then He empowered us to do the same by sending The Holy Spirit to walk with us daily.

Our call is to make that love known until He comes back.

What Does The World Need Now?

What are practical ways we can make God's love known? Of course, God has us covered with instructions on how to live this out. In Romans 12:9-13 (AMP) we are given an outline of what this love can look like in the practical sense:

Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], contributing to the needs of God's people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

Love is a verb, an action word. God calls us to love in word and deed, with genuine motives and affection. We are to align with the things that are like Him (good) and refrain and turn away from those that are not (evil).

We should commit ourselves in love to each other and never be slothful in showing that. The Spirit will empower us to serve the Lord with enthusiasm, because our HOPE is sure.

When trials come, we are not to distress, but to allow the PEACE that passes all understanding to reign when life tries to knock us off balance.

We are to ground ourselves in the JOY of the Lord by abiding in Him, and to use that steadiness in our service and display of hospitality to others.

And when we meet disappointment, questions, or transitions, we can be assured that God's LOVE for us is sure.

Remember, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39 KJV).

That wraps our fourth theme on Advent - Love.  (We did it, Joe! Hahaha)

We made it! I am so grateful for the press to study the Advent season. I am thankful for your companionship on this journey of study and discovery. I pray that this series is a blessing to you, your leadership, life, and business. May each post open your eyes to see a new part of God's immense love for you.

If you have any questions, tips, or favorite things about Advent that you'd like to share with me and each other, please send me a note here. I would love to hear your feedback on this series and your favorite takeaways in the comments below.

I enjoyed uncovering these lessons together and adding a new layer to the happiest time of year.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lorin R. Carter

The Corporate Consultant