God’s understated and encompassing power

Matters of Faith

By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor

Parker, Beagle and Fontana United Methodist Churches

Scripture (NRSV):  1 John 4:13-21. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

As we continue on our journey through the season of Easter, I think it’s important to reflect on our notion God’s of power and strength. When I was in the Army my perception of power was tanks, bombs, and fiery aggression. I had a sign on my door which read, “our mission is to close with and demolish our enemy.” To me real power was the ability to defeat our country’s enemies through violent aggressive battle.

It has taken me a while to shift my thinking to God’s message of love and redemption. Certainly, in reading the Old Testament books, God does not appear to be reticent in using destruction and force when needed. However, with the coming of Jesus and his teachings about love and forgiveness, God’s message now has everything to do with compassion and mercy. The God of violence and death has been replaced by the God of hope and love. I believe this was accomplished through the blood of Jesus and, because of this, I am forever grateful for God’s love and mercy through Jesus Christ.

Knowing that the most powerful being in the universe has adopted me and loves me as his child gives me great hope and confidence. There are many times when it is difficult to love my neighbor, or my enemy, but God commands that I love others even when they do me wrong or are disrespectful. I struggle with forgiveness and mercy. However, I am well aware that God is telling me to love and care for them as my brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is difficult for us to reconcile our ideas and thoughts about power and love. We normally do not think of love as being a powerful, moving force. Our notion of love too often reflects the influence of Hollywood which equates love and intimacy with romance. When we think of power and control, we think of war movies comprised of killing, destruction, and violent force. Power is acquainted with force; love is acquainted with submission.

As I continue to reflect on God’s word and the notion of love, God’s desire that we love and care for one another is beginning to make more sense. When we serve God by loving others, we undergo a transformation that is truly powerful. People change when they are being loved. And what’s even more remarkable is that these changes come without violence or aggression. 

I invite you, as you continue on your journey through Easter, to reflect on God’s powerful love as the foundation for being merciful, forgiving, and caring. And equally important, reflect on God’s unfailing love for you and how this love, through the blood of Christ, welcomes you to the greatest forgiveness, mercy, and joy that comes as a relationship with a loving God.

Consider also, that with God’s love comes the wonderful gift of God’s Holy Spirit. We are gifted with kindness, gentleness, patience, goodness, joy, faith, love, and self-discipline. We might not think of these as powerful life changing gifts, but they do wonders for our relationships with others and our relationship with God. And over time, we become convinced and assured that through God we have access to the greatest power in the universe-God’s love.

One of the greater challenges for us is to acknowledge this power and to use this power of love to care for and serve others. God calls us to love. God calls us to serve. God calls us to power through our relationship with Jesus Christ. This love, this relationship, continues to be the most powerful, yet understated, force in our lives.

Celebrate Jesus. Celebrate love. Celebrate one another.

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If you are seeking a church family to join you in your journey with Jesus, I encourage you to consider attending our church services at the Parker, Beagle, and Fontana United Methodist Churches. Our service times and details are listed below. Please know that when you attend, you will be provided an enthusiastic worship service, fellowship and support, and the unfailing love of fellow believers.

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We will have Sunday morning services during the month of May at 10 a.m. at the Parker UMC.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of June at 10 a.m. at the Beagle UMC.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of July at 10 a.m. at the Fontana UMC.

We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month.

All are welcome in God’s House.  Come and celebrate the risen Christ.

Dr. Bascom Ratliff  (913-710-5748)

Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana 

United Methodist Churches