Can you Love Them

They justify their position by claiming “Political Correctness” or “I don’t want to offend others” or “they’re entitled to their opinion”.  I’m tired of coddling to the feelings and sensitivities of others, who outright, blatantly disregard the reality that they are living outside of God’s will.  What do you think?  If someone is heading the wrong direction down a one way street with a blindfold on and a woman is pushing a stroller out into that very same street less than 50 feet away, shouldn’t someone tell the person they are wrong for doing so?  Aren’t we better to tell them they are making a mistake, than to let them continue in their path and destroy not only their life, but those around them?

The problem I am faced with, though, is how to love them, while still telling them their actions are going to bring harm.  When I say the word love, most think of an emotional feeling of kindness, gentleness and warm hearted affection.  We are caught up in the human perspective of love as a word to describe our emotional condition when we think about another person.  But is love a verb or a noun?  Is it something you feel towards another or is it something you have.  Well, grammatically it is both, based on how we use it.  (eg. The love he has for her is immeasurable. (n)   He loves her with all of his heart. (v)) 

So many today are proposing tolerance of other’s feelings, choices and decisions.  I have heard no less than 10 times this week, “You need to hate the sin, but love the sinner.”  Really?  Who says?  Well, God says in His scriptures; “Save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”  (Jude 1:23)  Can we truly love with God’s love as called out in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us..”  I have to remind myself daily that God loves me unconditionally, that despite my iniquities and my transgressions, His love is unchanging.  But, I find this nearly impossible to live out.

I am angered by the actions of some; I am disgusted by the actions of others; I am overwhelmed by the evil in this world, that is condoned and accepted.  We have come to a point in our existence where evil has become the norm and those that call it out are seen as the radical minority.  Is this visible to the rest of you, or is it just me?  I want to help others realize they are partaking in evil, but I am shunned for “judging them” or “forcing my views on them” or “being intolerant”.  Well, so be it.  I am intolerant of watching those that I know and love, destroy their eternal life because they want to selfishly pursue the pleasures of today.  Pursuing the wickedness of this world, even for a moment will lead to destruction. 

People (including me) realize that their actions are outside of God’s righteousness, yet they continue to dwell therein.  Choices are made that it is worth it to turn from God and pursue our own desire, will and ambitions in life.  This is sin upon sin.  It is stated that we are all sinners, and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and by God’s grace we are forgiven and washed clean.  Yet, Romans 1:18 tells us; “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”  When we know we are sinning against God and continue to do it anyways, we are suppressing His truth and stepping outside of His blessings.  Is God’s grace sufficient then for our sins, the answer is unequivocally yes as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “…“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”.  But, it requires a repentant heart and for you to turn from your sinful actions. 

I believe this is the state of the world today.  We know right from wrong, good from evil; yet still, in knowing that, we are choosing to pursue evil, because it makes us happy temporarily.  This demonstrates the character of our true self-centeredness and the desires of our heart.  For evil does not enter into one’s heart from outside, but comes from within; Mark 7:19-23, “…“That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” 

Do you not see how far we have fallen from God’s plan for our lives?   How then can we claim to be walking with the Lord; if indeed we are intently disregarding His commandments and His will for our life?  We are blinded by our own lies and perception that we are “good enough” in our walk, and that God will forgive anything we do.  I fear for us as a people, that we believe we are heaven bound, yet continuing to live in our sinful nature would indicate otherwise.  I truly love you all, and want that none of you are blinded by the worldly passion and desire, but seek the Lord in all things.  For He alone is good, and nothing else in this world is.