Can a “Revolution” be caused by love?
Can a “Revolution” be caused by love?
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For the sake of spiritually thinking in regard to the question, my response is centrally subject to spiritual/social revolutions. Revolution is such a powerful concept and depending on what the revolution is trying to change (world hunger/racism) is dependent on the commitment of the revolutionaries. In paralleling that concept with the love concept, I think both are so powerful. However, I think that revolution socially (with others) is not always caused by love because anyone can makes changes occur but not everyone has love. Love (socially relating) is not a prerequisite to have a revolution. But to experience REAL love-”God style” (forgiveness, patience, unselfishness, intimacy), an internal/spiritual revolution occurs. I think love that causes real revolutions (peace, equality, justice) can only be done if the revolutionary understands “God-style” love. Mother Theresa’s love for the poorest created a revolution. She had to understand “God-style” love to give love that revolutionized. Jesus’ love revolutionized the world and revolutionized man’s fate from being separated from God. But Jesus made it personal. Love is the driving force that we all have access to through Jesus. Real love is the love that revolutionizes the soul, the spirit, the peace, and holiness that glorifies God. The love that grows within the soul is given to us personally from God. Because of God’s love to share his precious son, a revolution takes place. In closing, love is an action spiritually and socially and so is a revolution. I guess it depends on the measure and source of what motivates the revolution.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Love of “something” is the root of any revolution. Whether it be of self or of others. Love is the key. Our love for Christ and others is the ONLY way we will experience a true Godly revolution. Exaxtly what our world is missing. Turning our focus away for our selves and focusing on our love for Christ and others. Remember - Each and every person you come in contact with, they are God’s creation. We need a revolution of Love.
James, I couldn’t agree with you more. We need to model Christ and his love. We need to ask God to bath us in his love and help us to seek wisdom to know how to love others deeply. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
Get this though….love and power are inverted. The more true love (agape love) we give, the less power we will be able to exert. However, the opposite is true, the more power we have to exert, the less love there is. This is why in creating a revolution, love (or the loving thing) can’t be coerced. True love is incredibly risky. Jesus risked his entire life on our redemption.
Your thoughts??
I also agree with Dave. I guess as a history teacher, I have the understanding that its meaning is ‘a violet overthrow of the government and a social-economical change in society’. The revolution christians propose is a revolt against all that is evil in this world. The “government” we seek to overthrow is not so much a physical one but a spiritual one - the governing of the evil one. We want the “social-economical change in society” to ultimately be living life according to God’s Word and the following of His Will. However by adding the word love we are acknowledging the paradox that true reform can only be brought about by charity, not violence to others. The “violent overthrow” is not aimed at others but at ourselves - overthrowing our own sins and vices. Society can only be changed one person at a time beginning with ME. By offering my body as a “living sacrifice” I am dying to self and aligning my free will to God’s will. By doing this I am not conforming to the ways of “this world” but living my life as revolutionary for the love of God. It is challenging and risky, just like you said. Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
Exactly Stacy. That’s the hard part of a revolution of love. It’s costly because there is no guaratee that things or people will change. Our faith is in the power of love… ultimately God’s love. That is one of the reason’s Jesus is the ultimate Revolutionary, because it (His love/sacrifice) calls for change, not because we have to, but because His love compels us to.
We are so blessed to have the honor to serve God. It is an amazing gift and it comes with so many blessings. Just the honor of knowing that we will spend eternity glorifying God without any distractions. Glorifying God here is challenging sometimes but praise God that Jesus carries us through. Pslams 91:11
It can, but it is usually set off by an evil or horrific act perpetrated against a beloved figure of the ‘love’ side. When someone seems to be punished for doing good, for loving others, it is especially disturbing and gets peoples attention. I remember when several nuns were executed in El Salvador, everyone was shocked and people said things like ’something has to be done’ and ‘this won’t go unpunished’ then everyone forgot about it when it was no longer a hot news story. I imagine the one the nuns were following and living for hasn’t forgotten. Whether or not love can start a revolution is dependent upon the ones touched by that love, not upon it being a hot news story.
So true. I don’t mean this to sound trite or like a platitude, (or a book title-which it is) but it is so true, that love really is a decision… it’s an act…it’s a committment to keep acting. Good point Night Train.
Can a revolution be caused by love?
Of course it can. It is. The reason anybody does anything is drive, motavation, and the greatest motavation is love. That was Jesus’ motivation. After all, God is Love and he so loved us that he sent his most beloved to save us. People do things for all sorts of reasons, love is not the only emotion that compells us to move. And our emotions is what causes us to act. But love is stronger than all of those other motivators, emotions, put together. Because God IS Love. And Who or What is greater than the ALL MIGHTY. Can a revolution be caused by hate, anger, yes, can a revolution be caused by love, absolutely. And God or Love as I affectionately refer to him, is absolutely the only kind of revolution I want to be a part of.
Everyone’s comments hits home!!!Definitely, I often think of first John 4:7-8, I learned those verses in a song. I try honestly with everything I do to live godly and show every child I teach in my diverse setting Real love. (referring to Hultman’s comments) I think mentally you have to align your everyday approach to life to these words. It takes a lot of unnecessary stress off your daily endeavors