God Is Love
Hear this, you foolish and senseless
people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.
-- Jeremiah
5:21
The hatred and distrust of those who do not know
Jesus, well, that’s almost expected. It’s about priorities and love. God is
love. That’s what the Bible tells us. It also tells us we can’t hate others who
are also made in the image of God and claim to love Him.
And, yet, we somehow believe that message doesn’t
really apply to us. We “pray” for people to come to see things the way we do.
We focus on small bits of the Bible, things we agree with and things that God condemned
that also make us uncomfortable, while ignoring the passages that condemn what
we hold dear.
We turn people away from Jesus. We polarize others
because we are polarized. We have no mercy, kindness or compassion for anyone
who looks, acts or, indeed, is different from us. And when we are called out
for it, we blame the other political party or another religion, claiming that we
are only defending God.
That’s what makes me angriest. This isn’t about God.
It’s about self-interest. Let’s get real here folks. God doesn’t need us to
defend Him. What God requires of us is that we love others, at times sacrificially,
so that they can come to know Jesus through us.
“There are none so blind as those who will not see.
The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know.”
Our pastor shared this quote today. It’s believed to have originated in 1546
with John Heywood. We’ve seen parts of it in other places as well, including in
a popular song by Ray Stevens. Maybe the prophet Jeremiah was the first author
because it’s strikingly similar to what he said.
We still don’t get it. We refuse to see what the Bible
clearly says? Why do we claim a faith we don’t want to live?
“What do you want me to do
for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to
see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your
faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed
Jesus along the road.
– Mark 10:51-52
We don’t want to be healed. We don’t want to see. We
don’t want to change. We’re comfortable where we are, living what we know,
conforming to what feels good.
Our pastor said today that we are most blind in our
hearts. And we are.
Last week someone sent pipe bombs to people who
disagree with President Trump. That’s horrific. What’s worse? Those who took to
social media and other outlets to try and turn it around and blame the other
political party. Really? This isn’t about politics. It’s about hate. Why hasn’t
everyone condemned this?
Yesterday 11 people died in a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Another hate attack on people who were only worshipping God. When is it going
to stop? When are we going to change?
We Christians are part of the problem. How many times
a day do you condemn or criticize someone who thinks or behaves differently
than you do? How many times a day do you rant over what others might be taking
from you? How many times a day do you blame the other party (whichever party
that might be) for your problems?
God is love. Look in the mirror. If you are spreading
hate and discord, you don’t have Jesus inside of you. Do you want to fix what’s
wrong with our country? Start loving others with words and actions. In kindness
and humility, serve others. Reach out to those who are different. Live like
Jesus.
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