For love

 Exodus 3:1-15; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20

All summer, we have been reading portions of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul has been laying out a theology for the early believers in Jesus. He and Peter had resolved that it was better for them to reach out to different groups of people, with Peter focusing on the Jews and Paul focusing on the Gentiles (anyone who is not Jewish) and the Jews living in Gentile territory. Even though Paul is working in a non-Jewish context, Paul continues to think and act like a Jew, an educated Jew at that.

This letter to the Romans is one of his last letters, so he has had time to clarify for himself what it means that Jesus has lived, died, and been resurrected. It means that everything is different, new. It means that God’s love is not for sale; it is available for free, for the asking. It is this teaching that so attracted Martin Luther.

As Paul comes near the end of the letter, it’s time to make his point clear. What matters to God is love, and acting in love is more important than any commandment. Indeed, Paul says, because love doesn’t harm others, love fulfills the law.  It’s this same love that is at the heart of the other readings for today.

… A couple weeks ago we read the story of Joseph in Egypt receiving his brothers with love while leading Egypt through the  lengthy famine; the next week, we read the story of the birth of Moses, which happened long after the pharaohs and the people had forgotten Joseph.

Today, Moses has an encounter with the Holy. The Divine says, “I have noticed how things are going for your people, and I have a plan to make your lives better. Here’s what we’re gonna do.” And Moses says, “Hey, wait a minute. I never volunteered for this. You must have a Plan B!” And then Moses gives a list of all the reasons he would rather not do what God has in mind.

To each excuse, God has a response. God sees the suffering of the people and has resolved to find a way to make their lives better, while proving that God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is more powerful than any Egyptian gods. At the root of God’s action here, is God’s love for this people.

… In the Gospel reading about conflict management, the root is also love. How do we deal lovingly with people? How do we disagree with each other in love? How do we tell people that they have hurt us in a healthy way?

This brief instruction manual on conflict within the congregation is in most denominational constitutions, including that of the ELCA. Let’s assume someone is causing trouble, discord in the congregation. First, have a private conversation, then if the situation is not resolved, include a few trusted friends and talk some more. If this larger conversation doesn’t work, then it’s ok if the troublemaker is asked to leave the community.

This process is intended to be a loving, respectful one. But it doesn’t usually feel like it, in the middle of it.

Here’s a story. I faced this situation shortly after starting in a previous congregation. JC and his wife had been active, valuable, members for years, but JC had also been causing conflict for several years. Previous pastors had not been willing to deal with the situation, so it was up to me to find a solution to the issue.

JC believes some things that are definitely not Lutheran. He even wrote a book about his beliefs. Having different beliefs was not a problem until he began insisting that everyone should agree with him. He taught a class sharing his ideas. He put copies of his book in members’ mailboxes at church. But what brought the leaders to me was they discovered he was handing out his book in the funeral receiving line.

They had had it with him. The leaders and I agreed that JC and his wife were valuable members of the community, but didn’t want him forcing his ideas on other people.   So, invited JC to talk in my office. We chatted for a while. We talked about his involvement in several ministries, including the food pantry and as an assisting minister in worship, and one of the lawn-mowers. He explained what he believed, and I explained that he was entitled to his beliefs, but they weren’t Lutheran, and I had a problem with him forcing them on members and visitors in the congregation.

I suggested some boundaries that the leaders and I had previously agreed with. He could teach his class, and meet with those who agreed with him. But he could not put articles in the newsletter. He could not put books or materials in the mailboxes unless people asked for them. He definitely could not hand out books a public events at the church.

But, JC wasn’t happy with such limits, because after a few minutes, he said he had decided that he and his wife would look for a congregation that was a better fit for him. Over the years that followed, JC and I met at community events and had cordial conversations on matters we did agree on. We had met in love and mutual respect, and agreed on a solution to the conflict.

… It’s so important that everything we do in and for the church is done with love and respect, because that is what God gives us.

I hope this week you will pay attention to what you are doing. Ask yourself why you are doing it. I hope you discover most of what you do is for love … love for those you are interacting with, for those you care about, and for yourself. Because that’s why God does what God does, … for love. Amen