love – Grace Evangelical Society

In Times of Crisis, Don’t Forget Your Neighbor

March 26, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - coronavirus, crisis, James, love

When the plague struck Wittenberg, Germany, in 1527, people wrote to Martin Luther, asking his advice about what to do. In particular, he was asked whether it was right to run away from the plague. Luther said it depended. On what? On who you are. What role do you have in life? Whether or not it

The Short Commandment

March 19, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - love, Martin Luther, spirituality

Jesus commanded you to love (Mark 12:31). Paul said that if you do not have love, you are nothing (1 Cor 13:2). And John said “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14). Love is key, but what does it

Find the Poor, Sick, and Needy, and Serve Them

March 16, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - love, Martin Luther, spirituality, Tuomo Mannermaa

Since Jesus gave you everlasting life by simply believing in Him (John 3:15-16, 36; Eph 2:8-9), what should you be doing with all your free time? You don’t need to be earning, keeping, or securing your eternal salvation—so that eliminates 99% of what usually passes for religious activity in the world—so what kinds of things should you

Love One Another as Brothers and Sisters (Romans 12:10)

December 13, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - love, spirituality

What should Christian spirituality look like? I often wonder how much damage works salvation has done to the churches over the centuries, not just in promoting a false gospel, but in also promoting a false spirituality. When you think you need to work your way to heaven, then spirituality is going to look very different for you than

No Excuse, Sir! (1 John 4:20–5:5)

July 15, 2019 by Kenneth Yates in Blog - 1 John, child of God, commandment, love

I attended a military college after high school. The freshman year introduced us to military life and placed upon us many rules that a civilian would consider strange. For example, if an upperclassman asked you “why” you were doing something, the answer was always, “no excuse, sir!” It didn’t matter if you had a valid excuse.

What Is Love? (Ephesians 5:1-3)

May 10, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Ephesians, love

Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints (MEV). The Ephesians were called to “walk in

How to Apply “Lay Down Your Life” (1 John 3:16-17)

March 6, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - 1 John, love, poor

Christians are called to love each other. But what is love? You might know it when you see it. Specifically, John says that our model is Jesus: We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16a). Love is sacrificial. Love acts. It acts for the good of the beloved. Jesus showed you that

Imitate Love (3 John 11)

December 4, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - 3 John, Christian spirituality, imitation, love

The Christian life ought to be characterized by freedom, not rules and regulations. Other religions will give you long to-do lists of prayers and practices and menus and pilgrimages, and you have to follow them to be a member in good standing. Christians basically have one command: to love. Augustine famously summarized it this way:

Big Business, Little Service (Gal 5:14)

November 29, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Galatians, love, neighbors, spirituality

Religious superstition is a huge industry. Who knows how many billions of dollars are spent every year on amulets, statues, candles, medallions, icons, relics, special foods, holy water, special breathing techniques, anointed oil, prayer cloths, grave soaking, and pilgrimages? I’ve been watching Leah Remini’s documentary on Scientology, and I was shocked to find out how