Evangelical fury has hardened the hearts of many for pointless reasons. How often do we hear a defense of Creation vs. Evolution with a low punch given by the Christian party? My friends, we must gird ourselves for a battle of love. Love is the manner by which we are, or should be known (1 Jn 4.11). So why is the love of God not prominent in every conversation, both with those in Christ and those far off? When we get down into the grime of the matter, love is not the issue, we as people are actually incredible lovers. The problem is the direction of our love. There are 4 directions our love can go: inward, outward, downward, and upward.
Inward Love
- Inward love is the most natural of all loves. Simply put, inward love is the adoration of self. No one must be taught to love themselves, although some would advocate it is so. Today we have a psychological analyzing party that claims many have been weakened because they have not cared for themselves, they have not loved themselves. "You must do what's best for you," they say, "you must love yourself unconditionally." May I suggest that inward love is not a resolution to happiness? When one looks inwardly what grows is concern for one’s own needs. The question soon becomes, "are my needs being met?" I know of none who are completely satisfied with this life, who wouldn't want a little more love a little more satisfaction in various forms. The result of inward love is a longing for more love. The point is not to hate ourselves, my argument is that we need no help loving ourselves, this is the most natural impulse of life. Who puts food to your mouth each day? Who washes your body? Ephesians 5:28-29 elaborates on this inward love principle and places inward love as a tertiary love, after the love of God and the love of others, in this case ones wife.
Outward Love
- Outward love is the love of others. This love is a love that is outward focused. For a more detailed diagram of this type of loving I would refer one to CS Lewis' "The Four Loves." However, for our purposes we will look at outward love from two perspectives. Within the kingdom of outward loving there is a positive and negative border. Let's take a look at the positive aspect first. Positive love is the love that is commanded in scripture over and over again. This love is commanded of believers not only toward those we naturally find affection for, but also for those we may not naturally be inclined to love (Matt 5.44). Let's take a look at the Negative end of our outward love scale. The negative outward love is the obsession that we see taking hold of us toward individuals in an idolistic fashion. In the 21st century we live with a celebrity mindset. Our superheros are those who are in the public eye. They are the rock stars, movie stars, and the like. This cannot be limited to the secular arena. Christians have their favorite preachers, musicians and the like. Is it wrong to humbly love and respect one that has been gifted by God in the arts or in the preaching of God's word? Absolutely not!! But, these are gifted brothers and sisters in Christ, not superheroes. Let us form our outward loves with care.
Downward Love
- Downward love has two aspects: a love toward inanimate objects and a love toward metaphysics. This love toward inanimate objects has most often been labeled idolatry. Of course in our Western Post-modern society, "idolatry" sounds like an archaic term. The word "idolatry" is derived from two Greek words, one of which means "figure" or "image," and the other which means "worship." Quite simply idolatry is "image worship." Typically in the West we do not maintain idols in the sense of having small physical images representing gods balancing on our fireplace mantel. However, materialism has taken the place as our images in search of satisfaction and happiness. Despite the hard work and success of many Americans the level of happiness remains the same or even lower according to some studies. Richard Layard is a specialist in economic studies who has conducted much research comparing happiness levels and economics. Layard concludes that although the GDP of Americans has risen by around 50% sense the 1950's happiness levels have remained the same, or according to some studies happiness levels have dropped. In 1950 the average single family home was 983 sq. ft., in 2004 the average single family home is recorded as 2,349 sq. ft.. I suppose we need all the extra space for all the extra things. Just think in the 1950's the average family didn't have a clothes washer or dryer, dishwasher, air conditioner, or even a color TV. Yet to be marketed was the microwave, VCR, DVD, internet, computers and cell phones, most of which is in every household today. All one must do is look around America to see that the standard of living in America has risen substantially. This love of things has consumed our culture, yet left us empty. This downward love cannot fulfill our deepest longings. In fact, God's word says that it is impossible to love God and money (Matt 6.24). The second downward love is regarding metaphysics. This love extends into the arenas of education, philosophy and religion. A deep love for knowledge has become the "image" of worship for many in our society. High school graduates have increased by 50% sense 1950 and college graduates have increased by over 20%, new religions, and philosophical world views have arisen by the masses in recent history. Massimo Introvigne, writer for the Center for Studies on New Religions predicts that the trend in new adherents to new religions is likely to increase in the future. What is the implication of these findings? People are searching for fulfillment, for happiness, for satisfaction, yet many have come to the same conclusion as the ancient writer of Ecclesiastes, "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases wisdom increases sorrow" (Eccl. 1.18). Where then is our love to be directed? The final direction may hold the answer.
Upward Love
- Upward love is the love directed toward the living God of Scripture. Jesus was once asked by a religious teacher what the greatest commandment was, he replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matt 22.37, NLT). Jesus then voluntarily began to establish an order to what we have labeled the four directions of love. He states in verse 39, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (NASB). It is important to note that there are two directions Jesus did not command love toward, the inward love and the downward love. Jesus didn’t have to command us to love ourselves, he knew that we are quite capable of doing that on our own. The direction we set our affection forms our worldview, it shapes our life, it shapes every word we speak and every action performed. In the four directions of love we have discussed there is only one direction we are to withhold love from completely. The problem seems to be the order of our affection. JOY, that is how we keep things in order; J-Jesus first, O-Others second and Y-Yourself Last, this is the only road to true joy.
