The Faith Found In The Hearts of True Christians
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
The Faith Found In The Hearts of True Christians
F ROM the Letter of St. John
One of curious things about this letter is the non-sentimental way it develops the theme of love. The world reduces the word love, to a mere good feeling. St. John refuses to discuss love in this manner. St. John discusses love as the center of Christian Life. He also states that we do not really understand what love really is … unless we are taught by someone who does know.
Faith and Love
If we are going to love one another…we must make sure we really understand what love is…and we can find it in this letter. We do not start with our idea of love. Rather, John stresses we begin by receiving the love by the One Who Knows what love is…not only knows loves, but IS LOVE MADE FLESH.
This has consequences for all of us today! John uses light / darkness and knowing / not knowing the Lord in his writing. John also says be careful! Many Christians, even today, say they know the Lord, they love the Lord, they believe in the Lord. John says again, be careful!
John connects faith and love together. They cannot be separated. John does this because in his day…and even today … there can be a form of empty or shallow faith. Many Christians then and now say they have the name of Jesus on their lips … while also having hatred for their brother in my heart. To these Christians, John will say, these Christians do not know the Lord at all! Stop lying to yourself and to others.
True Faith Will Claim You In The Way One Lives
If you know the Lord, He will claim you differently. Faith is not mere confession with the lips. If you have true faith, it will express itself in how we live, and relate to one another. St. John says the measure as to whether I walk in the light, is what I harbor in my heart for my brothers.
St. John teaches us. He does not write about love in general to Christians. John does not write about faith in general. He writes about the love found within your own heart. He writes about faith and true living for Christians.
Listen to this teaching. Hear about faith, love, our own hearts, and Jesus. Listen to this audio. Listen and hear about The Faith Found In The Hearts of True Christians.
St. John Giving Communion to the Blessed Virgin: Alonzo Cano: Spanish Painter, Architect and Sculptor: Lived: 1601-1667
John connects faith and love together. They cannot be separated. John does this because in his day…and even today … there can be a form of empty or shallow faith. Many Christians then and now say they have the name of Jesus on their lips … while also having hatred for their brother in my heart. To these Christians, John will say, these Christians do not know the Lord at all!
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