Enkindle - love & maturity
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[1]No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.[2]
What an astounding revelation: we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us—not as warriors of conflict, but as architects of people and communities. Love, the great equalizer and purifier of the soul, compels us to attend to the needs of others, making it impossible to ignore them. In this service, love grows within us, transforming us into new creations, new beings in the image of God, all through Jesus Christ.
Paul assures us that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, can separate us from the love of God. This invites reflection: what character can withstand such trials and remain steadfast in the overwhelming power of love?
To engage in these noble pursuits, one must possess stability, strength, and maturity. The transformative power of love, often overlooked, profoundly matures, strengthens, and fortifies us. Through love, we uphold our humanity, live with unwavering integrity, and maintain sincere faith with both God and neighbour. Love speaks to character, leading to acts of kindness, goodness, and compassion toward others.
Thus, the primary function of love is to mature the individual. In its myriad forms, love acts as a catalyst for personal growth, emotional resilience, and spiritual depth. Through the joys and challenges it brings, love pushes us to transcend our limitations, fostering a lifelong journey of maturation.
Love inevitably presents challenges that necessitate personal growth. The experiences of loss, the need for forgiveness, and the demands of sacrificial love compel us to develop greater emotional and spiritual depth. By navigating these challenges, we often find ourselves maturing in unexpected and profound ways.
Love is frequently regarded as a transformative force. In Christian thought, love is the highest virtue and the ultimate expression of God's nature. This divine love calls us to grow in holiness, selflessness, and integrity. By striving to emulate this perfect love, believers undergo sanctification, maturing both spiritually and morally. The teachings of Jesus emphasize love as a commandment, suggesting that through practicing love, individuals draw closer to God and realize their full potential as human beings.
This foundational love guides us through life's challenges, leading to greater emotional resilience and maturity. In adulthood, love—whether in the form of friendships (philia - φιλία), romantic relationships (eros - ἔρως), familial bonds (storge - στοργή), or selfless love (agape - ἀγάπη)—continues to encourage personal growth. Through love, we experience empathy, selflessness, and a deep understanding of others' needs and perspectives, all of which are crucial elements in the journey toward maturity.
Regarding the community of faith, Paul provides the means for achieving both individual and communal maturity.
Thus, we consider the function of love; yet there is more to explore. How does this mature being act? How does this mature being perceive the world? As love continues its work within us, we find ourselves in a new dimension. While we may attain maturity, the manner in which this maturity manifests in behaviour and perception is another consideration entirely. The most wondrous transformation occurs when we transcend our former selves, becoming something greater—or rather, someone greater. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we embody the very essence of love, becoming love itself.
Jim Varsos
[1] Psalm 44:22
[2] Romans 8:35-39 NIV