Where
Is the Love?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35
The venom spews from
both sides. The comments are hateful, ugly, mean. I don’t care what side you’re
on when it comes to the Kavanaugh-Ford issue, if you’re wearing the Christian
label and spewing hate, you’re in the wrong.
Do not use Jesus to
defend your words and actions. He was all about love. He was able to correct
people and turn people toward God without condemning or shaming them. The only
time Jesus got mad was at the Pharisees, the rule makers who were so busy
thinking highly of themselves that they missed the Messiah.
Are you missing Jesus
in all of this? Are you forgetting that when you claim a faith you don’t show
you turn people away from Him? Are you remembering that it’s not about you?
Yes. It’s your opinion.
You’re entitled to it. But don’t pull Jesus into the fray when you’re more
concerned with your “values” than His. Jesus doesn’t need you to defend Him.
What He demands of all of us is that we love people where they are.
Hate and love cannot
co-exist in the same heart. It is possible to disagree with someone – even in
the political arena – and not hate them. It is possible to give your viewpoint
without using hatred as a weapon. If you can’t do that, then you should shut up
because you’re making Jesus look bad.
This isn’t about taking
sides. Sure. I have my viewpoint but it isn’t about what I think. God knows the
truth and it will eventually come out. How do I know that? The light always
exposes the darkness. (Ephesians 5:13; John 3:20)
Also, do not tell me or
anyone else to pray for your opinion of the situation. Just don’t. It’s not
about your will. It’s about God’s will. Do not presume to know what His will really
is. That’s your pride showing and is nothing from Him. You don’t know what the
best outcome is and neither do I. Pray for everyone and ask that God’s will be
done.
I am so very sad about
the anger and ugliness that permeate our country today. Don’t point fingers at
others. Get that plank out of your own eye. And don’t throw a stone at someone
else and use that as an excuse for your own behavior or the behavior of someone
else. God doesn’t need your help, or mine, to deal with someone else’s sin. You
take care of your own sin and He’ll take care of the sins of others.
Jesus told us to love
people. If you can’t do that, if you can’t disagree with someone without
spreading hate, then maybe what you really need is a heart check. Are you sure
you have Jesus living inside of you? Are you positive your words come from the
Holy Spirit? Are you without a doubt living for God?
Hate and God cannot
co-exist. Before you share your “opinion” again, consider what you are sharing.
