HeadTheology

I find it appropriate, on Valentines Day, in asking the question, ‘can unbelievers truly love?’  I John 4:8 says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God.  God is love” and 4:15-16 says, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  So we have come to know and to believe that love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

I ask this since Col 1:19 says that in Jesus “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.”  So it would seem that those without Jesus as savior do not have love and therefore no one can give away something they do not possess.

But in asking this question the question of whether our acts of love are qualitatively different from unbelievers arises.  We may give chocolates and flowers but unless we continue to push those we care about toward Christ we are as loveless as the devil.

This is nothing but an indicment of myself and a thanks to the many who love me by pushing me toward and presenting Christ to me despite the fact that it may not come with chocolate,flowers, or a card.

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“To tell men that the cause is urgent, and that the kingdom of God is at
hand is the most charitable and merciful act we can perform, the most
joyous news we can bring.” -Bonhoeffer in ‘The Cost of Discipleship’, p211.