Faith Matters | In these troubled times, we need more love, not condescension or fear

Last week I officiated at a wedding with seven others in the sanctuary, including the couple. Many others were able to celebrate with us online. It was a memorable wedding, not just because of COVID constraints, but because days after their wedding, one of them would have major surgery, due to an aggressive cancer. It is beautiful to see love transcending and transforming human suffering.

I want to see more of that – the love that “believes all things, hopes all things, endures all ends.” (I Cor. 13)

I am not just speaking of the love of a couple, nor was the Apostle Paul when he wrote that chapter on love to the Corinthians. He was speaking to a community of people. Some people stop loving because they are condescending, thinking they are better than another. Some people stop loving because they fear another.

I could be wrong, but I perceive that many Democrats are stuck in condescension and many Republicans are stuck in fear. Some of you will wish the pastor would stay out of politics, but politics is how we live in community, and if I believe in God’s love, I cannot ignore the cancerous conflict growing in our life in the polis, the city.

This Sunday another scripture written by Paul, Romans 12:9-21, inspires us to “let love be genuine, to hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, and to outdo others in showing honor.” It would be easy to take the “hate what is evil” out of context. If love and honor are valued, we have to find a way to despise wrong-doing without despising people, who are created in the image of God.

This passage from Romans 12 also teaches us to care for strangers, to be generous toward those in need, to rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer. Live in harmony … as far as it depends on you, live peaceably and nobly with all.

These words are so timely as we are struggling as a country suffering the pandemic, arguing over how we should protect both our health and the economy, as well as hold a fair and just election in November.

Even if we choose to ignore all that’s going on in the world, we will find that living a Romans 12 life is incredibly hard, but ultimately, healthy. When my husband makes me mad, do I treat him like an enemy or a friend as we resolve our differences? When my friend posts something on Facebook that feels mean-spirited and evil, do I respond in kind, with my own nasty response or do I leave it alone or find a way to address it peacefully? When congregation members tell me my sermon disturbed rather than comforted them, do I get defensive or try to hear their perspective?

These are not times for condescension or fear. These are times to dig down deep for the love that seeks to turn a potential enemy into a friend. Hear the challenge of Romans 12: Do not repay evil for evil. Do not claim to be wiser than you are. Weep with those who weep. Take good care your enemies.. Overcome evil with good.

Faith Matters is written by members of the Bradenton area clerical community. The Rev. Elizabeth M. Deibert is pastor of Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch. Contact her at pastor@peacepcusa.com.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 6:00 AM.