Why Does My Hate Have to Match Your Hate?

   Globally, we are so disconnected from anyone who doesn't think, look, or have the same political and religious beliefs that we do.

   We have no respect for differences, today. In fact, we have no desire to hear from anyone that has a differing opinion. We choose our news based on our political leaning, rather than looking for news that presents facts and gives us the opportunity to decide what to believe, based on the facts. We're too lazy to think for ourselves; or as Christians, we have become too lazy to check facts and pray. We rely on pundits rather than spiritual discernment and God's Word to direct us, in our decisions. If we're Christians, our choices--all of them, political, churches, what we watch and how we spend our time (and with whom we spend it) should be made based on prayer and discernment. 

   For Christians, we owe it to ourselves and the world, to seek God before we decide things that have the potential to affect other people. The way to do that is to pray, hear from God and then check it by the Word of God--not simply one or two verses, but make sure it lines up with all of the Bible...Old Testament, words of Jesus and the apostles. 

   If Christians, just Christians would do this we could destroy these strongholds of division and hatred. We have not been doing it and the proof is in the divided societies around the world.

   It has become so hostile that it's not only offensive to say the wrong thing. It is now offensive if you don't say anything or you don't say enough or say it the right way. A university president had to resign for this and we expect two others to step down for the same thing. They probably thought they were towing the line in a highly volatile environment. They allowed freedom of speech on both sides, but that wasn't good enough. 

   Why am I required to hate like you hate?

   I don't hate either side. I don't want anyone to be destroyed. I understand why a complete cease fire in the Gaza Strip can't happen (Hamas will just regroup and start over). I also understand that both the Palestinian and Israeli people are being victimized. I also know that the Palestinian people in the Gaza area have been victimized by both Hamas and Israel for a long time. I'm on the side of the Israeli and Palestinian people. The problem (as with most  conflicts) are those making the decisions. Bibi Netanyahu and Hamas leadership are to blame and both should face the consequences of their actions. They both endangered innocent people for their own selfish purposes. Netanyahu because he was in trouble politically, and Hamas simply sees their people as a means to an end (to destroy Israel)--and, by the way, they never will. Hamas leadership calls the Palestinians "collateral damage".

   Knowing these things, I can't possibly jump on your hatred bandwagon. I have to consider the facts. I also have to look at it through the lense of Christianity, which means that I can't pass over on the other side of the road. They are all my neighbors, created in the Image of God and after His likeness--even my enemies. #love1another





. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"DANGER OFTEN LURKS, WHERE DESTINY BECKONS"

I read this profoundly true phrase in a historical novel, by Christian author, Tommy Tenney. It was the story of Hadassah (Hebrew name)--or Queen Esther of Persia, as most of us regard her.When I read the phrase, it struck me. I thought, how true! We want the glory of our destiny, but no part of the process--often treacherous, that will get us there. Faith, however, requires some sacrifice, some trial, some work (James 2:20).I began to think back over my own life and my desire to get the prize, but always trying to avoid the battle wounds--only to find myself back at the starting point again and again. It was only after I made a decisive choice to submit my will to God, in the process of being molded, did I find the peace that I so desperately sought. When I stopped "kicking against the pricks", I found joy, in spite of difficult circumstances.Not only Hadassah recognized that where danger lurks, destiny beckons. The Word of God is full of hosts of characters that learned tha...
Read more

NAME CALLING

It may seem as if this blog is devoted to how we relate to one another, as Christians। I stand accused. The reason for this, is that I believe it ranks so high on the list that if we do not take corrective steps, many of "our greatest" will suffer. I am thinking in particular, today about the ways we use titles in our churches. I understand and agree with the need for some form of protocol. I see the proper use of some titles--those that are biblically-inspired. However, do we misuse them?I am of the belief, that titles, in our churches are out of control. What is the reason? I am going to suggest that it has something to do with the history of racism in America. I hate to focus on churches being "black" or "white", but this particular issue is a much bigger problem in the "black church". Here is my historical take on the issue. Black people in America, we know have had little or no power, until very recently. The only legitimate place (in partic...
Read more

Oh, that Fire, that Tongue, that Tongue...

In this day, we are pretty consumed with our bodies; we are very health and beauty-concious. We want very much to prolong our lives from the physical perspective and to look our best while we're at it. It isn't a bad thing at all, to have these pursuits, since the Bible declares that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit--and we should give them great care. There must be a prioritizing of things, however; our physical bodies are not first on God's list, but at the top of His list: that our "soul should prosper". The Scripture in Psalm 34, provides the formula for living a long and peaceful life. What must we do? First: KEEP THY TONGUE FROM EVIL ! That is striking! It is striking because, on the surface, it doesn't seem like such a big thing--in terms of prolonging life! Also, because often it seems as if this is the very thing we neglect to give care to, the most! We allow our tongues to say whatever they will without thought, or to lie--with great tho...
Read more