Confirmed in Love

The last two years have often felt like a series of cancellations: holidays, special events, family parties, and of postponements - a whole series of disappointments. This seems to have gone hand in hand with our so-called ‘cancel culture’ -where you can be ‘cancelled’ for saying inappropriate things, expressing a controversial view, or being associated with the wrong kind of people with no chance for apology or redemption. As we emerge from lockdown restrictions, perhaps we still wonder if our bookings for holidays, parties and get togethers will be honoured there remains a degree of uncertainty waiting for confirmation. However, our cancel culture seems to continue to pervade, offering little chance for change, repentance or growth. But despite the uncertainties of learning to live with a pandemic, I’m delighted to say to our candidates this evening: ‘your booking is confirmed!’

That’s probably not the best way to describe the wonderfully gracious movement of God’s Holy Spirit in your lives, opening you up to the truth of his Word, to baptism and the confession of faith and leading you to this moment but we do come to confirm you, to ask for God’s confirming, or strengthening of you. And there are three ways we do that which are described by Jesus in our gospel reading. Three ways which also speak of a kingdom culture which might offer some critique of our current cancel culture; you are being confirmed as beloved, befriended and being chosen.

As you may know our verses from John 15, are part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion and death. He is preparing them for the momentous times that lie ahead of them, which ultimately define who we are and whose we are: beloved of God, befriended through the cross, and being chosen for God’s purposes in the world.

1. You are being confirmed in love

John 15.9:

…abide in my love…

In other words be at home in my love - this is Jesus who chooses to make his home in us. He doesn’t just tolerate us for a bit, or put up with us temporarily. This is permanent, it’s not a short term let (John 15.10):

…you will abide in my love…

This is God who chooses to dwell in us! Our cancel culture doesn’t stick with anyone, doesn’t persevere - one strike and you’re out. It seems so unforgiving that ultimately none of us will be left.

Abide in my love

This is not a love that simply accepts us - this is a love that by dwelling in us changes and transforms, continues the work of God’s renewing and reforming of our lives. You may have heard it said “God loves you just the way you are. But he loves you too much to let you stay that way”. At his own baptism, Jesus was affirmed as God’s beloved son, so today, at your confirmation, be confirmed as God’s beloved.

2. You are being confirmed as friends

Drawn into a new intimacy with God, a new understanding (John 15.15):

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Later we use the words ‘Confirm O Lord your servant…’ but that is because you are friends of the Servant King, the Christ who took the form of a slave and humbled himself, even to death on the cross.

The disciples are being drawn into a new understanding of the ways in which God works and so Jesus spoke of a love that turns the other cheek, that loves enemies and prays for those who persecute us. In other words, a love that forgives and ultimately lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This is the love shown us on the cross: a love that forgives and brings new life. Jesus was ‘cancelled' for us that we might be saved from sin and death and evil. Today, you are confirmed as friends, befriended by our servant King.

3. Finally, you are confirmed as chosen

John 15.16:

You did not choose me but I chose you...

Today you make a choice, a decision to turn away from sin, to reject evil, to turn to Christ and to trust him as Lord. But your choice today is a response to the God who has already chosen you. I was never particularly sporty and hated that moment in PE classes where teams were chosen. I was always near the end. But God does choose us, not begrudgingly, not as a last resort but with delight! We aren’t chosen to just settle down in love and friendship. Our calling is to go and bear fruit! As missionary bishop, Leslie Newbiggin once put it:

The gracious indwelling of God with his people is not an invitation to settle down and forget the rest of the world: it is a summons to mission, for the Lord who dwells with his people is the one who goes before them in the pillar of fire and cloud. [The Light Has Come: An Exposition of the Fourth Gospel, Eerdman’s Publishing]

The point of abiding in love and being called friends is to bear fruit. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. There seems to me nothing permanent, nothing lasting, nothing that can grow in a culture which cancels rather than learns to forgive, which chooses to expel before understanding. We are called, chosen, to share and reflect a love that will never be content simply to cancel people. We are called to live and to share the life of Jesus. This life and love being witnessed to and shared by the people of this place is in part what has drawn you to this moment. Christ’s love is a love that chooses not to cancel us but to forgive us, does not throw us out but welcomes us back in grace and mercy.

You are confirmed as those being chosen to serve God’s loving purposes in the world. Today we confirm your booking! We confirm you in the love of God, in the friendship of God and in being his chosen. Each of us are beloved; each of us are given the invitation to friendship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; and each of us who are friends with Christ are given the opportunity to recognise that we are chosen - and to live as those chosen to be bear fruit that will last in Jesus’ name. Amen.