Introduction: God's Sovereignty
David Porter

Comment: Love Your Neighbour
Michael Wardlow

Wish You Were Here
David McMillan

Victims of Violence
David Bolton

Celebrating the Past
Philip Johnston

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'LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF'
But How Lord?

In order not to confuse the love of God with benevolence or philanthropy, Jesus demonstrates the nature of this kind of 'God love'. He attends to his disciples needs, even before they ask (Matt.7:7ff), he upholds them under persecution and difficulty (Lk.12:11). Through the Spirit he pardons the sinner in love (Matt.18:lOff) and unceasingly seeks out those who are lost (Lk.15:llff). This is a love that always moves out from itself, which by its very nature is organic, infectious and dynamic. Love which remains cerebral or emotional falls short of the love which Jesus displays.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus gives the widest possible understanding to the command to love our 'neighbour'. The Samaritan's action has been variously described as a 'convulsion of love' or 'seeing through God's eyes'. Such love is a holistic love. It is seen consistently in the life of Jesus, right to the end (Lk 23:34). It is able to empower us to love the unlovely, those who oppose us (Mau.5:43ff) and even our enemies.

The primary focus and fulfillment of human love is towards God (Matt.26:37). This is supremely expressed in the commitment of Jesus to his Father's will. Therefore the love of God is inextricably bound to doing God's will. It cannot be separated from obedience to God's commands and desires, and dedication to growing in a relationship with God (Matt.6:25). This is the vertical axis of love, an intimate, personal and obedient encounter with God.

However in the opening verses of John chapter 13 we see Jesus demonstrating the extent of his love for his disciples, by graciously washing their feet. This is the horizontal dimension to the love of God. In this dramatic event Jesus shows that the nature of love is seen and experienced in the grace to serve others.

This empowerment for humble service is to continue in the life of the disciples after the resurrection and ascension. It is to remain as a distinct part of the life of the church in all generations. The unique relationship Jesus had with his Father was not about privilege, but concerned with the responsibility of compassion for a broken humanity and accountability to God whose heart reaches out to world.

This is the kind love Jesus asks of those who would follow him ~n.15:13). It is only when our lives are marked by the way of the cross that we will reflect and emulate the love of the Saviour. Such love is costly, and is measured in terms of our obedience to God and service to humanity. But it is an evangelical 'sign' that witnesses to an alternative way of living and draws people to the life of the church. This kind of love is not sentimental utopianism, but costly and practical. We cannot love like this except we are empowered by the Spirit of God.

If the Christian community is to display these principles of the love of God we must hold together the great commandment with the great commission - love and proclamation. We must uphold the dignity of humanity and express our love for those with whom we disagree. We must also, however, not fail to present Christ and him crucified, for proclamation and demonstration are partners in an authentic Christian witness. As a redeemed people we are called to take a message of transformation to our 'Jerusalem and Judea'. Riddled with injustice and violence it cries out for deliverance that can only come through Christ and the practical and compassionate ministry of his body on earth. Involvement is not an option, it is an obligation.

Michael Wardlow is Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Counsel for Integrated Education. He is also a member of ECONI's Central Co-ordinating Group.