Word for Word 2/8/23

Recently I took a friend to a hobby expo.  He’s a great guy, but as the years have passed, dementia has slowly stolen away the friend I once knew.

He shares the stories of the past, a walk down memory lane, the same lane over and over again.  Sometimes I’m tempted to be bothered by the repetition, but then I am reminded that the Bible says, “Love is patient.” (I Cor.13:4)

We used to have great conversations; he has so many experiences and travels to draw from. Now a comment can derail his mental train and he starts up a new story. It’s tempting to feel annoyed, but then I am reminded that the Bible says, “Love is kind.”  (I Cor. 13:4)

My friend used to ask about my life. His understanding and advice were always helpful to me. But the slow twilight of dementia has taken that away. Sometimes I find myself wishing that we could talk about me (does that sound selfish?).  Then the Bible reminds me, “Love seeks not its own.”  (I Cor. 13:5)

My friend couldn’t teach a class anymore, but I’m learning a lot about love from him. First, love is a choice of action, not a feeling.  Our world can’t teach us this because it has mistaken self-fulfilment and personal gratification for real love.

Second, love is revealed in self-sacrifice.  By nature we are self-centered and self-interested.  A visit with a psychologist will result in a lot of instruction in self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-confidence, etc.

Third, if love is a choice of action that I will not naturally choose, then I need God to change my heart.  The Bible promises, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”  (II Cor. 5:17)  

How can you be in Christ? By believing that Jesus, the eternal creator God, died for your sins and was resurrected with the power to save you.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes on him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

Pastor Matthew Majewski, Center Baptist Church