Roger Murtaugh: God hates me. That’s what it is.
Martin Riggs: Hate Him back; it works for me.
The quoted discussion above is from the movie Lethal Weapon. That discussion demonstrates a natural, finite and fallen human reaction to things gone bad. This shows plainly the profound fear and antipathy we have toward our Lord. The better things go the more proof we have that God loves us. If things turn bad on us such as health, wealth, etc. this proves that God hates us.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19 ESV)
In the first verse we see John is not talking about finite human love. The love of a human is imperfect at best. Man or woman will love only if there is something in it for them. For example, the person is physically attractive and is helpful in emotional well-being. This love can dissipate over time due to the aging process or getting to know the person and finding unattractive attributes. So the search may resume for that which is attractive. Therefore, of man’s love the following can be said:
The love of man comes into being through that which is pleasing to it.*
God’s love, on the other hand, is not self seeking. Our Lord is a giving Lord. Nothing we have is of ourselves but rather a gift from our loving Lord. No one is owed even being created so it is not based on works or even agreeing with him. If that were the case no one would come to know Jesus and that he died for their sins and resurrected for their justification. Of God’s love it can be said:
The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it.*
Only after one realizes that God’s love is for him or her, this searching out of his attributes will change drastically. The suffering experienced in life will have us running to our Father for help in the times of need; scripture also becomes a wonderful nourishment rather than an accusing finger; and the Cross of Jesus is on our minds and in our hearts from the first of the day, through the day and when we go to sleep.
Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †
* The Heidelberg Disputation of Martin Luther May 1518
