The world offers us thousands of forms of entertainment. The benefits of civilization provide us with many pleasures. Advertising at every turn instills in people the idea that they can be happy by possessing something. Numerous religions offer all kinds of paths to salvation and to the attainment of higher realms and knowledge. Christianity has its own history of development and has divided into hundreds of denominations, each of which considers its teaching true and correct. The world has never before seen such an abundance of things, opportunities, and information. We can call free of charge from any point in the world to any other place in the world and at the same time see the person with whom we are speaking.
Through the Internet, we can buy anything, sell anything, learn anything, earn money, and lose it. With the help of a satellite, I can see how people live at any point on the planet and plan a route to any place. I can acquire knowledge in any field without leaving home. If I wish, I can create my own religion or open my own online church, preaching there every day whatever I desire.
Entertainment, temptations, and pleasures have become accessible with the movement of a single finger. Not even the boldest science-fiction writer of the last century could have imagined what we now have and use by means of an ordinary smartphone. And all this is the beginning of diseases—mental, spiritual, physical, infectious, and virtual. The world has become one vast leper colony and is merrily rushing into the abyss of sin, rejoicing in the utter emptiness of its discoveries.
Looking at all these achievements, one wants to ask, ‘Have they made us any happier?’ Strange as it may seem, all the benefits of civilization multiply vanity and busyness but do not give rest to the soul. This can be understood very easily when we go out into nature and immerse ourselves in the world of God’s creation. Then the soul merges with pristine beauty, the eye delights in the magnificence of the Creator’s creative thought, the spirit grows calm, and peace comes. Nature needs no improvement or inventions; even in its disorder it looks very harmonious. The soul, wearied by the world, touches God’s love expressed in nature and finds rest in the embrace of the natural world.
But then fear arises about what I will eat, where I will live, what I will live on, and what I will wear. My mind returns once more to daily cares and vanity, struggling for survival in this mad world. And again I leap into my hamster wheel to continue the exhausting race to nowhere.
But then news reaches me that there is a remedy for all the diseases of civilization called ‘Love.’ I try to find a definition of this word on the Internet. What will it not show me there? From a pink heart to group orgies—and all this is called by one word. The enemy of souls has worked very hard to distort the meaning and significance of God’s love. Nevertheless, we human beings understand what is meant, but we cannot comprehend the depths of what this means for me personally. And how can I receive it?
At times the invitation to receive love passes by our ears as just another piece of information. But if we stop, look closely, think about it, and delve into this gift of Heaven, an entirely different world opens before us—a world governed by completely different laws and created for all of us in order to make us happy.
Love, happiness, and friendship are still in demand, but they have become conditional, and if I violate those conditions, retribution becomes inevitable. Conditionality destroys my faith in people, my faith in stability, and my faith that anyone truly needs me. Where is this love? Show it to me, and I will believe!!! This cry of the soul has become the outcry of those who are searching.
From childhood I was taught that a friend is someone who does not betray. But I understand that I myself am a traitor, so what can I expect with such a nature? You teach that true love exists? Where is it? Let me see it! Let me touch it and experience it! I am already tired of these fairy tales!
Is there anyone in this world who truly loves—freely, at all times, regardless of how he is treated, without theatrics or unnecessary words? Will he be able to love me? Will he have enough strength and time to endure all my attacks and answer all my questions? So far I have encountered only deception, hypocrisy, and cheap counterfeits.
I read the Bible, and love is described so beautifully there. Perhaps people once lived that way. Back then there was no Internet or electricity, life was simpler, and people had nothing to occupy them, so they learned this art. But now it is the twenty-first century. We have discovered everything, yet we have not become better. And the smarter machines become, the more foolish become those who rely upon their artificial intelligence, which replaces human relationships for them.
Let us suppose that love exists, that it is available, and that it can be mine! And so I find it, receive it, and begin loving everyone. Who am I now? A black sheep. Who needs someone as holy as me? At least, conditionally, I still belong in this world if I live by its rules. But love is a game without rules. Every stereotype collapses, and you do not know where the blow will come from. Every attack is met only with kindness and patience, calmness and understanding, respect and joy. You expect quarrels and accusations in return, but you hear apologies. I peer at these strange people and cannot understand whether they are foolish and spineless or very strong, since they are able to restrain their emotions in this way and repay evil with good. I try them from every side, and everywhere I find the same thing. I insult them, but they smile; I curse them, but they bless me; I persecute them, but they pray for me; I rob them, but they calmly part with their possessions and thank God for such trials; I kill them, but they ask God, ‘Lay not this sin to my charge,’ because I know not what I do. How can I understand this strange love? Or perhaps I am the strange one, and they are normal? I look around, and the whole world is like me. Surely the whole world cannot be wrong while these people are right? Yet there is something in them that draws me to them. They are genuine; they are steadfast; they have an Example to follow, One Who endured everything and in precisely this way overcame the world. I have no example. I have the Internet, in which I live like a fish in water, but I do not know where this water is flowing. They say that at the end there is a waterfall and rocks and that everyone will perish. What if they are right? How I do not want to die. And if I die, what will change? Nothing at all. What is there after death? They say that people like me will fare very badly—no chance for mercy, no prospect of justification. Here and now, something can still be changed. But how? What can I do? Can love do it? I do not believe it. Still, why not try? Hey, God, I am ready; give me this love too!
I knew that nothing would happen. It is a pity I had to humble myself like that. These are all fairy tales for old women. Yet those strange people received something from God. They are positively glowing with happiness. Perhaps I asked in the wrong way? I cannot ask any differently.
Do I need this love? And why do I need it? To drive my girlfriends crazy? But ‘this lawn will have to be mowed.’ What am I to do with this gift?
It appears that I am turning into a philosopher.
Why am I living in this world? How I long to be loved freely, always and at every moment. I would give everything for such a friend.
They say that Jesus loves in precisely this way. I ought to learn in greater detail what this means. What if it helps? Jesus, help me!
Homework 107
Have you ever tried to see yourself through the eyes of an unbeliever? What did you see? Why has the message of God’s love within a person become unpopular in this world and even in the church? What did you not understand from this lesson? Whom did you see yourself to be as you studied this lesson? Why is it better to be loving than to live without love? Do I need agape love? If so, what should I do with it? Why is it so important to possess this gift in the last days? Please read Psalm 14:1–7; Psalm 15:1–5; John 17:26; Romans 12:9; and 1 Corinthians 16:14 in the light of our lesson.