Only Children Abide in Love
Every day we’re reminded that something is deeply broken in God’s good world. Whether in the headlines—wars, anniversaries of tragedy, or the loss of public figures—or in our own hearts, hatred and contempt surface again and again. The Bible reminds us that this isn’t just a “big world” problem; it’s a deeply human one. Even in the small frustrations of daily life, seeds of bitterness and disregard for others can take root.
Author Arthur Brooks has called contempt “the problem beneath the problem”—the refusal to see others as fully human. The psalmist lamented this too, crying out for God’s mercy because of the contempt of the proud (Psalm 123:3–4). But why do we cling to hate so stubbornly? James Baldwin suggested it’s because hatred covers up our pain. Hatred shields us from wounds we’d rather not face.
If that’s true, then love is not just a sentimental solution—it’s the only remedy. But not just any love. We need a love strong enough to heal our deepest wounds, a love that doesn’t run out, a love that invites us into rest.
The Origin of Love
Jesus teaches that his love for us flows directly from the Father’s eternal love for him: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:9). In other words, God is not just loving—God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is who he is, from eternity past.
The Shape of Love
The Father’s love for the Son is perfect, abundant, and unconditional. And Jesus says that’s how he loves us. His love is whole, generous beyond measure, and not based on our performance. This love doesn’t need to be earned—it simply is.
The Invitation of Love
So what do we do with this kind of love? Jesus gives us a simple but profound invitation: abide. To abide is to rest, to stay, to remain in his love. Not to avoid or to perform. Not to fight harder or collapse in despair. But to rest like dearly loved children.
Jesus himself modeled this. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the agony of the cross, he prayed and abided in his Father’s love. Because he did, the great problem of sin, hatred, and contempt was met with mercy, healing, and dignity at the cross.
And because Jesus abided in love, we can too. Every Sabbath, every moment of trust, every pause to rest in grace is a small act of resistance against the brokenness of the world. It’s choosing healing instead of hatred.
The world’s wounds are real. So are ours. But the love of Jesus—perfect, abundant, unconditional—meets us right there and invites us to abide.
Reflection Questions
Where do you see contempt or disregard showing up in your own heart—toward family, coworkers, or even strangers?
James Baldwin said people cling to hate because it covers pain. What pain might your own anger or bitterness be shielding?
Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” How does knowing his love is perfect, abundant, and unconditional change the way you view yourself?
What would it look like this week to abide in Jesus’ love rather than avoid it or try to earn it?
How can you practice Sabbath rest as an act of trust in God’s love for you?
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