Learning to Love what God Loves

by John Roberts on September 22, 2024

Learning to Love what God Loves

Speaker: John J Roberts

Series: #2 “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: Living at the intersection of faith and

culture.”

Date: September 22, 2024

Introduction

When we choose politics over God’s Eternal Kingdom it can lead to the uglification of Christianity and cause hatred toward the world.

We need to see the World as God sees it.

We need to learn to love the world as God loves it.

Conclusion

May we allow love to direct our hearts in all our encounters.
May our love be open to all.
When someone bothers us, may we check ourselves and initiate holy conversation with them.
May we take time to tap into the love within our hearts before engaging anyone and everyone.
May our love enable us to experience more holiness.
And may love animate us more thoroughly, until love abounds in this realm and better reflects the realm of the One Who Is Love.

-Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Questions for Reflection

Has your political view/affiliation made someone your enemy? (A possible answer is “no one.” But it’s an important question to genuinely wrestle with).
What is one area of life, or group of people, that you may not be loving as God loves? Why?
How are you doing with holding to the truth you believe while still loving those who disagree with you – or who make different choices?
What is one way you can begin to gain more understanding of those who disagree with you?

About the Author

John Roberts

John and his wife, Sharlyn, moved to Moses Lake from the Seattle area in October of 1989 to begin work with Moses Lake Christian Church and they have continued with the church until the present.

John earned his BA from Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds WA, graduating in June of 1988 with a Major in Theology and a Minor in Preaching. John continued his education attending the Northwest Graduate School of Ministry, Biola University, and Regent College. He earned an MA in Apologetics from Biola University in 2006. Additionally, John completed the Renovare Institute of Spiritual Formation in July 2013, and earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Soul Formation in 2020.

John and Sharlyn were married in June 1988 (the same day John graduated from college… because… he uses his time wisely). John and Sharlyn raised three boys in Moses Lake who are now grown, moved away and are starting families of their own. Jonathan (Jonny) and his wife Madelyn; Josh and his wife Kara and their three children, Vida, Arlo and Edan; and Noah their youngest son.

John and Sharlyn love being with their kids and grandkids in their free time. Additionally, they enjoy travel adventures. In the summer of 2023 John and Sharlyn took a 200-mile pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago (the Camino Way).