Three Hardest Words
Rev. Tony Lantz
Friday, August 17, 2007
There are three words in the English language that are very difficult to get right. Some would say they are impossible to get right.
Now, before you go guessing, when people are at the end of their life, according to some physicians, patients want to hear, “I’ll miss you.” Others want to hear “Thank you.” And still yet some want to hear “I forgive you.”
Although these words are sought after, according to most, they are still not the most desired words. The three words I speak of are the infamous “I love you.”
Love seems to elude so many. Maybe you’re sitting in your recliner, sipping coffee and it seems like love is working for everyone except you. I know I’ve definitely felt that before. Or maybe at the end of your day as you recollect this last month’s events, you’ve gone over the top trying to love others around you. But it seems like life drained from you every last drop of trust or affection.
Well, the good news is, you’re not alone. If you’re like me, you have felt the difficulty of love. There’s nothing better than love when it’s right. And at the same time, it can be one of the easiest things to get wrong. A verb and two pronouns have never been so difficult to learn much less to start practicing. And that brings up why I am writing this little article. Jesus Christ devoted his earthly life to saying these three words. Not necessarily just with His words, but with His actions. These three simple words capture the heart of why Jesus came.
Now, whether we want to admit it or not, popular culture has ruined the reputation of love by trying to redefine it as romance or even lust. And that causes us humans a lot of confusion. Let’s face it. I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve gotten love wrong. So in order to fully understand love, we have to experience God’s perfect love. It is extremely satisfying to watch a person find out that God loves them and has a wonderful dream for their life.
So what to make of all of this love talk? Well, first things first. You need to consider God’s love because Jesus does really love you! He desires to have a living, loving, breathing relationship with you and He wants to give you a life full of joy and purpose.
Each of us has a past and its God’s desire to help you get past your past. Even though you may not be able to jump in a time machine and go back to those places that have seemed to cause you to stumble, He can. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever . . .” (Hebrews 13:8). He can walk into those places of sin and failure, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning.
Secondly, you need to consider God’s love in your life because you need a friend. Jesus knows the very worst about you. And yet, He believes the best. Why? Because He sees you not as what you have been but what you are becoming. Jesus knows you have great potential!
Thirdly, you need to consider God’s love in your life because He is the only one who really knows the future. In a world where trust is broken, Jesus wants to show Himself trustworthy. In His hands you are safe and secure — today, tomorrow and forever. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you ... plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
Today, my prayer for you is that you would experience God’s love and plan for your life. I want to personally invite you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. We’d love to have you come and experience God with us.
God thinks the world of you and so do we!
• “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Tony Lantz, lead pastor at Emporia’s Life Church.