7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God … 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 Jn. 4:7, 20 ESV)
There is an inextricable link between the two great loves we are called to cultivate: love of God and love of humans. If we cherish the Creator, we will cherish his creations–every color, class and creed. If we do not cherish his creations, we do not cherish the Creator. Period. Full stop. Every visible human is an expression of and manifestation of the invisible God. Every human is the handiwork of the Holy One.
This is why we cannot say “I love God” and then treat any part of his creation with cruelty. Yet millions of people fill churches and sing of their love for the All Mighty and then act oppressively or unjustly toward his human masterpieces. Racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia or homophobia–or silently assenting to such–display our disdain not only for the souls who live among us but for the Savior who died for us.
Calling a deadly pandemic “Kung Flu,” labeling a gay kid in school “faggot,” brutalizing someone simply because of their skin, withholding resources and opportunities for your own race–these are all pieces that prove our hate of our Heavenly Father, no matter what our Sunday-self says. But affirming that “Black Lives Matter” or “God Loves Gays,” protesting the dehumanization of people of color or the subjugation of women, voting for policies or politicians that stand for those disenfranchised or discriminated, assisting those who are in need, showing care and compassion, giving grace and mercy–these are the natural responses of someone who loves Abba and thus loves all his radiant and remarkable artistry.
Loving God does mean loving those around you and showing compassion and mercy. Just as God instructed His people 1000’s of years ago to do the same thing when He set them in the land (Deut 10:19, Lev 19:34). Even more, after Christ, because we do not live under the law (which would stone the homosexual). We are to reflex Christ, that God may use it to draw people from darkness into the light. With that said, we should never condone the homosexual lifestyle, never condone violence even when we agree with the cause, and also Christians should always be informed about who we are dealing with. Loving people is fine, but also understanding who you are dealing with will keep you from harm and ensure you are not throwing “pearls before swine”.
Remember, God will not save everyone, and we as Christians need to understand when to wipe the dust from our feet and move on (Psalm 146:9).
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