6-1-25 “God’s One-Way Love Story: United in Christ”

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“God’s One-Way Love Story: United in Christ”

           I want to start with something funny I found an internet site. A pastor once shared that she and her husband had the same fight every week—it was about how to load the dishwasher.

She said, “I load it for the glory of God—with order, symmetry, and clean lines.”
But her husband? “He loads it like he’s auditioning for a reality show called Dishwasher Chaos.”

One day, she tried to pray, “Lord, change his ways!” But what came instead was:
“Lord, thank You for this person who loves me… even when I reload the dishwasher behind his back.”

What a lovely prayer that is! I hope we can all respond that way instead of arguing with our spouses or loved ones.

Mark Twain once said: “If you put a dog and a cat in a cage, they would unexpectedly get along; if you put a bird, a pig, and a goat in a pen together, they might fight at first, but eventually they’d figure it out. However, if you put a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and a Methodist in a house, they’d never do well together.”

Ouch! That stings a little. I don’t believe Christians are worse than dogs, pigs, or goats, but when I read that quote, I felt a bit of shame. Sadly, we’ve seen church division in every era, and it leaves wounds. Thankfully, the United Methodist Church did not split. Instead, we’ve chosen to keep our minds, hearts, and doors open. We’ve allowed space for local churches to make thoughtful decisions on sensitive matters. Some, out of worry, left prematurely—but I thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for staying rooted in the church.

Remember, you are ministers of Christ’s Church. God calls you, equips you, and anoints you. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

So be bold and confident. You are God’s chosen.

Here’s a question: If you could describe the Bible in just one word, what would it be?
I suggest this: love—but not just any love—one-way love. What is one-way love?
It gives without asking. It forgives without demanding change first. It moves toward others before they deserve it—because they never could. That’s God’s love for us, revealed in Jesus: a one-way love story.

We may have experienced something like that at some point in life, but time dulls our memory. Yet, there is a love that is unforgettable and unchangeable: God’s love toward us.

In today’s Scripture, on the night before He was arrested and crucified, Jesus prayed—not for strength, not for escape—but for us. Can you imagine? Jesus prayed for us in the 21st century.

He said: “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20–21)

He wasn’t only praying for His disciples standing around Him that night. He was praying for us—believers two thousand years later. His final, heartfelt prayer was that we would all be one in Him.

This unity isn’t for appearances or convenience. It reflects the very heartbeat of God. If we sum up the Bible in just a few words, we might say: It’s God’s one-way love story. From Genesis onward, God’s love always moves first. It’s undeserved and unwavering—even when we are unfaithful.

Let’s reflect on a few biblical examples:

• In Eden, God created Adam and Eve in love. They walked with Him. But when they sinned, they hid in shame. Still, God came calling: “Where are you?” He didn’t leave them in their guilt. He clothed them with grace.
• In the days of Noah, humanity had turned violent and corrupt. God had every right to hit delete. But He preserved a family and painted a rainbow in the sky—a promise of mercy. That’s one-way love.
• With Abraham, God chose an old man with no children and said, “Look at the stars—so shall your descendants be.” Abraham had no credentials—just faith. God counted that faith as righteousness. That’s one-way love.
• In the story of the Prodigal Son, the younger son wastes everything. When he returns home, the father doesn’t scold or delay. He runs to him, hugs him, and offers a party for him. That’s one-way love.

But above all, there’s this: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Not when we got our act together. Not after we repented. But while we were lost, God gave His Son.

Jesus didn’t say, “I’ll love you if…” He said, “Father, forgive them,” even as they nailed Him to the cross. That’s not fair. That’s not balanced. That’s one-way love—the kind that saves the world.

And in today’s scripture, on the eve of His suffering, Jesus prayed:

“That they may be one… so that the world may know You sent Me, and that You loved them.”
Even though He knew we’d argue, divide, and judge one another, He still loved us into unity.

This unity is not human-made. It flows from the divine relationship of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit—perfectly united in love. That love can bind us stronger than opinions can divide us.
That grace can bridge what we thought was unbridgeable. Jesus said the world would know we belong to Him not by our size or structure—but by our unity in love.

I deeply appreciate serving three churches in one parish—churches that support and care for one another. I remember when Atlas Church faced financial crisis—how the other two churches stepped in and helped. When we launched the youth and children’s ministry, we did it together. Because we are one parish, we have been able to offer Vacation Bible School since 2023. The ministry to the next generation is something we carry together.

From Eden to Calvary to today, God’s love story has never been about us climbing to Him.
It’s always been about Him coming to us—again and again. We fail. We divide. We wander.
But God keeps loving. Keeps pursuing. Keeps forgiving.

Now it’s time to live out that story. That’s the Good News we share across our three churches—our one parish: We are part of God’s one-way love story. We are united—not because we deserve it—but because He refuses to let us go.

Thanks be to God. Amen.