Would it surprise you to know that some of my favorite people in the whole world don’t agree with me on everything?
I am not sure when the rules changed and agreement on everything became a prerequisite for friendship. In fact, it has gone far beyond that now, where we are told that if we do not agree with someone it means we hate them. This seems to be the “politically correct” assumption that rules the day.
Does anyone else see how ridiculously illogical this is??
Seriously.
Yes, I believe the Bible is true. And yes, I believe that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27). But, NO, I don’t hate anyone who is practicing it. I love them!
Yes, I believe that the Bible is true. And yes, I believe that you cannot go to heaven without trusting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior (John 14:6). But, NO, I don’t hate those who aren’t believers in Jesus Christ. I love them!
Now, I do recognize that there is a lot of hatred and condescension coming from people who call themselves Christians. They have done great damage through the years, arrogantly sitting on their porches passing condemnation on all who walk by and yet never getting in the trenches to share the Gospel. They have done great damage through protests and violence while saying and doing things that no true Christian would ever do. They have caused irreparable damage with their wagging tongues and fierce arguments.
This is a burden we true believers need to bear. Many have tainted and continue to taint the name of our precious Savior with their ungodly, worldly, and decidedly unchristian behavior.
But we are not them. And we are not filled with hate. We are filled with love. Of course, our closest, dearest friends are believers. They build us up and keep us accountable in our desire to grow more like Christ. Christian fellowship is a wonderful blessing in our lives. But this doesn’t mean we are filled with disgust for people who don’t agree with us or live like we do. We recognize that where they are now is where we came from. We know that we, too, are wicked sinners who were desperately in need of a Savior. Jesus is the only difference between us and them and we know it.
We are filled with a desire to tell them about Jesus, yes. We are filled with concern, yes. We are filled with a grateful heart for our opened eyes, yes. But not with hatred. Never with hatred.
Of course, the biblical message of sin and repentance isn’t popular. No one wants to be told they are accountable to God. No one wants to be told that their lifestyle is sinful.
But speaking truth is not equal to hatred. And speaking lies is not equal to love. And, in fact, it is quite the opposite, isn’t it? Funny how that works.
If someone is telling us what we want to hear instead of telling us the truth it means they care more about themselves than they do about us. And if they are telling us a truth we don’t want to hear at the risk of their own reputation or friendships, it is obvious they care more about us than they do about themselves.
Somehow the truth of this has been swallowed up by the mucky mire of relativism.
But we know the truth and we are not going to be swallowed up by relativism. We know that sharing truth means we love our fellow man, not that we hate them. So let us speak the truth of God’s Word with courage, even at the risk of our own well-being. Let us rise up and react to the hatred of a world gone mad with truth and grace and love.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:35-36
Very well said. Thank you.
:)
Another excellent post Leslie. Thank-you for putting your thoughts out there for us to read…because you convey what my heart wants to hear..it is truth. I used to think everyone was starved to hear truth, because to me it is so reassuring. That in a world full of chaos and uncertainty, God’s truth is the one thing we can trust and count on. But unless a person has the Holy Spirit within them they can not hear spiritual truth. As you said, The world wants to hear relativism.
One thing I always told my children as they were growing up is, ” I rather be accountable to God on how I raised you than for you to like me more because I gave in to you and was the popular mom.” Speaking God’s truth, even with all sincerity and in a loving way will always make someone uncomfortable and unhappy. I have learned to desire God’s approval, vs people’s approval of me…even at the cost of some friendships and a family member.
Oh, me, too! But, honestly, it is still a daily battle I fight. I think it is a sinful and human tendency to crave the approval of man. It really is a daily and conscious decision to seek God’s approval over peers, church, friends, and family. I have found it such an encouragement and a blessing to find like-minded people like you all over the world through this blog. It still amazes me most days! :) God is good!