True Love

Acts 3:11-26

How many of us know what true love really is? I know the first things we think of are our spouse and children. What if I told you that it is not true love? Allow me to explain. We love because a condition has been met. For our spouse, it was reciprocal. For our children, they are a part of us. In each case, a condition was met for our love to begin and grow. Merriam-Webster's definition is not great. “One truly beloved or loving.” Believe it or not, AI had a better grasp.

“True love is a profound and lasting connection characterized by mutual respect, trust, and support, going beyond initial attraction to a conscious choice to commit to a partner’s happiness and growth. It includes empathy, open communication, and a sense of “us” over “me,” with individuals willing to sacrifice and grow together. The concept can be viewed as a combination of intimacy, passion, and commitment, and while its experience is unique to each person, its core is often defined by these foundational elements.”

This passage suggests that the establishment of genuine love necessitates a prerequisite. In both the last sermon and this one, Peter imparts insights on the nature of true love within the Heavenly Kingdom. Alongside John and the other apostles and disciples, Peter and John are gradually gaining confidence and boldness in their faith in Christ. As they walk towards the Temple through the Gate of Beautiful, a crippled individual recognizes them and beseeches for alms. The experience of that man transcended the material worth of money; on that day, he received an authentic demonstration of divine love from God through His servants. Subsequently, Peter and John proceed into the Portico of Solomon, a location designated solely for those who are deemed impure. This is where we pick up the story and learn about true love.

There are three characterizations of True Love in these verses. The first characterization is that True Love does not boast. The second characterization of True Love points to the source, Jesus Christ. The last characterization of True Love is obedience.

Boast:

Peter and John served as vessels through which divine healing was administered to this man in the name of Jesus Christ. The man clung to them, and observers were filled with wonder and amazement. One might consider what thoughts were likely running through the minds of those present: “I saw him earlier today, and he was crippled; now, he walks.” “Is that the same individual who was present at the gate soliciting alms?” The inquiries directed toward Peter and John were, to say the least, astonishing and remarkable.

These two had the golden opportunity to boast about what they did. In our world, it would be easy for someone to take the credit. They would have been on every news channel and late-night talk show. Commercials, shows, and even Las Vegas would want to book them. The opportunities would be endless. But we see the first character of True Love, they did not boast.

Paul talks about what love is not (1 Corinthians 13:4). David understood whom he boasted in (Psalm 34:2). James explains that boasting in self is evil (James 4:16). Listen to what the Lord told Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:23-24). The Lord rebuked the Pharisees because of their boastfulness (Luke 8:9-14). Paul tells the Church in Corinth and us to boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

1 Corinthians 13:4 LSB

Love is patient, love is kind, is not jealous, does not brag, is not puffed up;

Psalm 34:2 LSB

My soul will make its boast in Yahweh; The humble will hear it and rejoice.

James 4:16 LSB

But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 LSB

Thus says Yahweh, “Let not a wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might; let not a rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Yahweh who shows lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares Yahweh.

1 Corinthians 1:31 LSB

so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 10:17–18 LSB

But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Listen to Peter’s words. How he boasts in Christ and not in anything they did. By not boasting in himself, he pointed them to the source.

Source:

All tools are ineffective and potentially hazardous unless they are equipped with a power source and operated by a competent individual. A table saw without electricity is ineffective; with electricity, it becomes a formidable device. Similarly, an untrained person operating the saw poses a danger to themselves and others. The same principle applies to Christians. Peter understood how to utilize the gift of healing appropriately, directing attention to the divine source rather than allowing it to influence him personally.

I contemplate if we had the ability to heal someone like Peter did, would we point back to the source, or would it puff us up? Peter and John took these people to that source. They not only demonstrated their love for their neighbor but also for God. Listen to Peter, “Hey, you remember that man you had crucified, Jesus, yeah, that is the One who gave this man the use of his legs. This Man, who is God incarnated, named Jesus, wants to give you life eternally. All you need to do is repent and return to Him.”

Peter did throw a jab at them; listen to his words in verse 17. Your ignorance stems from following the wrong leaders. I know the source because none of your leaders can raise the dead, heal the crippled, and restore the sight of the blind. But mine can! This leads to their obedience out of their true love for Christ.

Obedience:

The disciples did not waste an opportunity to boast in Christ, point to the Source (Christ), and partake in obedience in Christ. Christ said the two greatest commandments are (Matthew 22:36-40). Listen to the words again. To fulfill all the commandments, we are to be obedient in loving God with all our heart, mind, and soul. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. We do not follow this obedience if we are not sharing the Gospel with everyone we meet. Peter took every opportunity to share his Lord with others.

Matthew 22:36–40 LSB

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”

His love was true love because it came from the Source in Christ. He had no right to boast because he failed and had to be restored. His outward obedience was from his inward love for his Savior. He wanted to share the hope and love he was experiencing with everyone.

It was a simple plan that Christ presented to them, and they presented to the world. Confess+Believe=forgiveness. If we have experienced TRUE LOVE from Christ, there should be an outward expression in our obedience to Him.

Peter was obedient to this True Love by first going to Jerusalem. They did not question God in the direction they just went.

Application:

Jesus modeled this True Love for them and us. Jesus boasted in the Father. He pointed to the Source, His Father. He was obedient to His Father. He showed us true love by dying for us. There were no conditions met on our end to earn this love. To receive this unending love, all we had to do was (confess+believe=forgiveness). Now we are called to have the same True Love for God and each other (neighbors).   

Boast in Christ!

Source is Christ!

Obedience to Christ!