Pentecost 15 Some Things Must Be Loved Into Us
September 9, 2007
Christ the King
Kenner, LA
Rev. Ron Unger
Texts: Deut. 30:15-20, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33
What motivates you spiritually? What leads you to make most of the choices and decisions you do as a Christian?
There’s a fascinating book (which I used to have), titled, I’M SAVED, YOU’RE SAVED, MAYBE, in which the author describes what he suggests are the stages of spiritual development, following the example of those who have charted the stages of moral development, from the very self-centered world of the young child up to the sacrificial altruism of mature adults.
Well, the author noted an interesting parallel in the spiritual development of many of us from the "Jesus loves me" stage, gradually maturing to our praise of the universal Christ in whom the whole cosmos is joined together and reconciled to God. This might be an interesting topic for the Sunday morning Open Forum for adults. You’re invited to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15. Many Lutherans haven’t progressed very much in their spiritual development since confirmation class, so they’re kind of stuck with a 13 or 14 year-old’s spiritual perspective. We all deserve more, so, again, please come and join us next week.
The spiritual growth of our children is phenomenally important. I tell parents preparing for the baptism of their young ones that they’ve been observing their physical growth closely, and will also be able to note their mental and emotional growth. But spiritual growth is also occurring, hopefully, even though it’s not as evident. And our families, supported by the church, need to help our children grow in their faith. That’s a plug for "Power Hour," our Sunday School, and for our youth group, as well as for our Adult forum and Small Groups. What do you think, is there still room for all of us to grow spiritually?
Back to our initial question: what motivates you, spiritually? For example, you might begin by asking why you’re here for worship. Is it out of fear, because someone told you it would be a mortal sin to miss? Or out of duty, as in, this is our holy obligation? Or out of guilt? Is it out of enlightened self-interest, as in, "you know, I always feel better when I’ve been to church; it gets my week off on the right foot"? Or are you motivated by something different, something not so easily defined, a need or desire to be in the presence of God, to worship him and enjoy him with others?
There are various motivators at work in today’s readings.
First, that one from Deuteronomy, in which Moses says, "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of God. . . then you shall live and become numerous. . . But if your heart turns away. . . you shall perish. . . I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses" (Deut. 30:15-20).
I guess you could describe that as the use of fear or an appeal to self-interest. Either way, it didn’t work on the people of Israel. They regularly disobeyed and ignored Moses’ warning.
Contrast that with St. Paul’s appeal to Philemon regarding his run-away slave, Onesimus who showed up where Paul was imprisoned or under house arrest. In his letter, Paul appealed to Philemon’s new sensibilities as a Christian whose life and world-view had been transformed by his faith. Paul asked him to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. What a turn-about that was! Paul even said, "though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love" (Philemon 1:8). Those are two very different motivators, aren’t they.
In today’s Gospel lesson, it almost sounds as though Jesus is trying to discourage many folks from following him, discouraging them from becoming disciples. "Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciples" and "None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions" (Luke 14:25-33). Really? Or is Jesus forewarning us about the cost of discipleship, lest we think there are no sacrifices or costly changes involved.
Then what would motivate us to follow him? Hold that thought.
School has started up again. My wife is a high school English teacher. And I’m going to brag on her and probably embarrass her in the process, but here goes. Her students adore her. Well, most of them. She gets phenomenal work out of them (which I’m told is hard to do with gifted students who tend to be lazy because things come so easily for them). And I’ve learned her secret; what she does to motivate her students. She simply loves them. And they know it. And, as a result, they’ll do anything for her. (It works on me too.)
Love is the greatest motivator, isn’t it? Much more effective than fear or guilt or a sense of obligation. I think of our military folks in war zones and what motivates them. Certainly there is duty, and probably a lot of fear (especially during combat). But what would move a person to make the ultimate sacrifice? It would have to be love for his comrades in arms, love for his or her country.
A young girl was in a grocery store with her little brother who began to create quite a nuisance, running down the aisles and knocking over displays. The manager came after him and yelled to the girl to take better control of her brother. She stooped down and whispered something into the young boy’s ear and hugged him. When they got to the check-out counter the manager asked what she had said or done to make her brother calm down. She said, "He doesn’t understand when you yell at him, mister. Some things you just have to love into him."
Same with us. Some things, the really important things, have to be loved into us. Which is exactly what God does in Jesus Christ. "God so loved the world."
St. John picks up on this and writes, "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19) That’s what motivates us. This is the Gospel motivation for Christian service and action. All that we do, do well and do best, flows out of our gratitude for God’s love, seen so fully in Christ. Any other motivation is artificial and won’t endure.
And the motivating power of love is so effective and pervasive that it led St. Augustine to say something which at first sounds very puzzling, but then makes complete sense. Here is his seven word tome on Christian ethics: "Love God and do what you will." That’s similar to St. Paul’s dictum, "Owe no one anything except to love one another" (Romans 13:8).
Do we get it? Some things just have to be loved into us, and are by our Lord Jesus.