Love Holds Others to a High Standard

Do you nurture the flesh or the Spirit?

Sisters of Faith,

I have recently been reminded that love is an awesome privilege and responsibility.

Not long ago, someone told me that they finally found a group of supportive people, and because of that, he is doing well. While I was pleased to hear this, he also seems to reject the unconditional biblical love his family offered him.

That led me to think about what “supportive” means versus what love means. To understand that, one must have an idea of the foundational worldview a person holds. I don’t know which worldview our young man holds onto. I pray it is Jesus.

As someone who holds a biblical worldview, my understanding of “support” and “love” means that part of my role in any relationship is to encourage others to seek God.

God is the foundation for relationships, so I pray for people and encourage them to seek God’s strength and peace. I will not support unbiblical behavior in others. If I become aware of it, my love for them would inspire me to point out the sin, pray, encourage repentance, and support their efforts to overcome the sin.

Love means that my greatest hope for my family and friends is to spend eternity in Christ with them, so if I do not point out sin when I see it (not “sin police” style, though), I technically interfere with them getting to heaven. That would be abhorrent! In fact, if someone did not do that for me, I would assume they do not have love for me.

“The recognition of sin does not destroy the basis of friendship - it simply establishes a mutual respect for the fact that the basis of sinful life is disastrous. Always beware of any assessment of life which does not recognize the fact that there is sin.” —Oswald Chambers

Someone without a biblical worldview looks at “support” and “love” from the perspective of the self. In a self-centered worldview, to support someone means to encourage them to do what their self wants to do. I am sure you can think of multiple reasons why that can be dangerous.

Without a foundational worldview that provides a framework for moral conduct or aspirational living, what the self wants can change based on the desires of the moment. Instead, it is only about what that person wants when they want it. Therefore, to love someone who believes that requires a person to nurture self-centered selfishness.

This is what Paul talks about in Galatians 5 when he warns Christians not to let the flesh rule. Check your Bible to read how the works of the flesh are evident.

…walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do…the works of the flesh are evident… (Galatians 5: 16-19, ESV)

The other night, I listened to Alisa Childers interview Frank Turek. I haven’t read any Frank Turek yet, but he recently updated a book he wrote about being correct, not politically correct. Anyway, during that podcast, he made a point that love does not require acceptance, and acceptance doe not always equate to love. That fit right in with what Oswald Chambers said.

I don’t know what worldview our young man holds, and I don’t know what motivates him in relationships. But I will pray.

My point, sisters, is when someone asks for support as a demonstration of love, consider what they are asking you to support and love. Is it the Spirit or the flesh? Make sure you are operating from the same foundation.

My love for you means I invite you to hold me to God’s standard, and I will do the same for you.

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