However, I know that for many, love ≠ like. In fact, this little quip has become something of a proverb in the church. The cerebral among us enjoy rolling it around in our minds, probing it for ethics and morals. The relational ones among us have thoroughly tested its validity over time by experience. Is it too late for me to begin messing with the concept? I hope not…

Close to a decade of student ministry has demonstrated to me that people self-segregate according to various and sundry affinities. This isn’t news. Henri Tajfel (1970) has demonstrated that a “minimal group,” a group that displays favoritism toward members of the group, can be formed by something as trivial as the flip of a coin. What about God’s people? No news here, either. We segregate by age, stage of life, race and ethnicity, income, culture, politics, etc. We justify our choices, saying, “I just didn’t connect,” or, “I’m just not about that,” and sometimes, “I must be called to something else.” That may well be…

But I like what John Frame has to offer on this issue: Love is made up of Allegiance, Action, and Affection. We’re pretty committed to the first two. We believe that differences should not easily divide the body of Christ. We also believe that love must express itself in action toward others. But, for many, “one of these things is not like the other” – affection.

Would we still call it love if God merely tolerated us? Or is he for real when he declares, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Ps 49:16). It is precisely because “we regard no one from a worldly point of view,” that we are not to easily drop Affection from the recipe. Even as I write this, I am tempted to anticipate every possible objection so I can defend myself. That wouldn’t be loving. Instead, I am chastened by the humility of the tax collector from Luke 18:9-14 (our text for this Sunday) who, “would not even look up to heaven.”

As you look around the room this Sunday evening, see if you can find affection for your unexpected family… especially for the kind of people you would never hang out with.

I’m an MDiv student at Fuller and college ministries assistant here at LAC. I’ve had the privilege of serving college students for the past nine years with InterVarsity in Chicago at DePaul University. As a college student, my decision to become a follower of Jesus changed the course of my life. It is my desire that college students be given the choice to follow Jesus. God has created me as a gifted communicator of the Gospel. I enjoy developing diverse students leaders who embrace God’s ministry of reconciliation expressed in its many ways. Pursuing reconciliation, finding humor in life, and living with humility are three things I value highly. I thank God for the opportunity to serve the body of Christ here at LAC.

2.  Let’s see how many Urbana delegates we’re sending from LAC.  If you’re planning on going, shoot me an e-mail at jeffl@lakeave.org.  If there are enough of us, I’ll look into group rates, and other fun group travel options!

See.  Live.  Commit.

If you’ve never sat down with someone and helped them understand the gospel, consider using this tool.  We’ll be going over how to communicate the gospel and our testimony one of these days.  Cheers to those who work ahead!