In Search of Nike: 1 John 5:1-6 - Sixth Sunday after Easter

Spring Orchard by Liz West Creative Commons Image on flickr.com

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.  ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.  ³For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,  ⁴for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.  ⁵Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

             ⁶This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

There must be a time in every parent’s life when

their children beseech them for new shoes—and not just any shoes, but the most expensive shoes money can buy…

My request happened when I was ten.  The shoe was Nike’s famous “Air Jordan’s.”  We kids believed these shoes would help you jump higher and run faster than anyone else.

I probably surprised my parents because I’ve never had more athletic talent than a cheese sandwich… or a strong interest in sports. 

My desire was to conquer the school yard and be the envy of all my classmates—because I had the best shoes.

Is it any wonder that the most expensive athletic shoes are called Nike?  Nike is a Greek word that means conquest; victory; winning big. 

There’s a reason why golf pro Tiger Woods made millions of dollars “renting out his head” to the Nike Corporation by wearing a hat embroidered with their iconic swoosh.  We love winners—and we love winning.

There’s little in life that tastes sweeter than the thrill of victory.  There isn’t a person around who doesn’t covet fame, fortune, and success.  Our heroes are the people who climb the highest mountains; overcome impossible odds; vanquish the fiercest foes. 

Truly, it is as we say: “winning isn’t everything.  It’s the only thing.”

But the irony should not be lost on us that while we name our athletic shoes after conquest; what products get named love?  Diapers!  “Luvs!” “Huggies!” “Pampers!”

Christ teaches us that love does conquer all—but love can be nasty business.  It certainly was for Jesus…  He didn’t conquer death and evil with a sword.  He conquered by giving his life into the hands of his enemies: sinners like you and me.  His humiliation and death were the spoils of their apparent victory.  God had the ultimate victory—but God’s victory demanded his death…

That’s the trouble with love: seldom is it glamorous; seldom is it glorious.  It comes at a cost.  Sometimes it costs you everything. 

All too often, we treat love as a means to an end.  Be a loving person; do loving things—and people will love you back.  You’ll fix problems and make things better.  You’ll feel good about yourself.  But the truth is, love never guarantees the outcome.

True, Christian love focuses on the other—not the outcome.  True, Christian love means giving ourselves away—and leaves the rest up to God.

This is probably why we don’t always choose love, particularly when we’re faced with threats. 

Just consider the way things are in this country.  We have so much wealth, so much power, so many good people—but so little is changing for the better.  The rich get richer while the poor get poorer.  Food goes to waste while people starve.  We want to see ourselves as a Christian nation, but what does that mean?  That we take care of the poor and needy?  Or does it mean that everybody believes, lives, acts, and teaches according to the one “American” way?

We all get tired of the silly political attack ads and $10,000 / plate fundraisers—but we’re even more tired of poverty, violence, and the enmity that’s tearing our country apart. 

Ultimately, it is sin that drives to live and act according to what’s right by us.  It’s sin that drives us to see people as threats, rather than neighbors to serve. It’s the sin in us that says, “You’re either with me or against me.”  It’s sin that drives us to do good for others, but only on our own terms. 

But remember: in this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and sent Jesus to give himself away.  We who were his enemies have been made his friends.  We have been chosen to bear fruit, fruit that will last—but if we abide in his love.  This is love that begins in compassion and humility; without pre-qualifying persons as worthy or deserving.  This is love that is entirely focused on the other—and leaves the victory to God.

Love is a holy trust in God’s victory over sin and death.  We have the freedom to give our lives away because we belong to God.  God owns the victory over evil and death.  We don’t need to spend our lives constantly fighting and fighting back for what’s right by us.  Whatever is of eternal significance—God has it covered.  Make no mistake—I’m not saying anyone should accept abuse.  That’s not what a loving God wants.  Abusers exploit someone’s love for their own benefit.  Christ sets you free to love all, not just one.  Just remember: in Christ we are more than conquerors over every hurt, every evil, and every evil-doer.

The victory begins in you and me—because the kingdom of God comes as our faith is made perfect through love.  The unbelieving come to faith; the lonely find a friend; the hungry are fed; sins are forgiven; enemies are reconciled. 

You can win the world and lose your soul—but love is the labor that lasts.  God conquers all through lives laid down in love.