GFC Community,
Love’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, including in the church, but often the meaning of it is a little foggy. What do we mean by love?… or to echo the hit pop song from Haddaway in 1993, “What is Love?” (If that song is now stuck in your head, I’m sorry….)
The New Testament isn’t foggy on love. In fact, we have a crystal-clear definition straight from the mouth of John (inspired by the Holy Spirit) who said, This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. – 1 John 4:10
The love of God is tangible (as opposed to ethereal or abstract) and it is targeted– aimed at meeting our greatest need by solving our greatest problem, sin. Paul echoes this in Romans 5, when he says, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
And in light of the active, pursuing love of God, John says, Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18
One of the ways we’re seeking to do this corporately is through an initiative this fall called Love in Action. For the next three months, we’ll be communicating opportunities for our church body to demonstrate love to our community in tangible ways. This month, we have a unique opportunity to impact Mountain View Elementary through serving. Learn more at gfcnow.com/loveinaction and sign up! Whether it’s being a lunch buddy for 20 minutes each week, helping pack backpack food once a month, or coming alongside the school staff to offer support, you can make a big difference. Consider how you can be part of what God’s doing and put your love into action.
Grateful to be a part of this community with you…
Matt Murphy, Lead Pastor