I saw a bumper sticker this morning which read:
Based on the other bumper sticker on the car, I think this was probably aimed at a particular political group, which makes it a bit tinged with irony, but political agendas is not where I am going.
That statement is arresting. Of course, Christians aren't supposed to hate others -- only evil. We're supposed to love. There is temptation to hate though.
Think about it. That statement means that Jesus loves:
People who disparage our ministry, thwart us at work, dismiss our opinions, or militantly hold political or theological views that are radically different from our own.
It means He loves those who:
Who walked out on us when they shouldn't have or when they had no obligation to stay but we wanted them to, who have lied to us, who have caused us harm
And He calls us to love them, too.
What does that love look like? There is no easy answer to that. It will look different in every case. It will mean forgiveness, and perhaps repentance, on our parts. Sometimes it will mean listening when we know we are right or acting to help someone with whom we disagree.
It does not mean staying in physical danger from flying fists and drunken tirades, but it does mean seeking the best for all the people in our lives even when that is uncomfortable or requires confrontation .
It's challenging. It's downright hard. But it must be done.
I will be exploring this and other themes at the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park beginning on August 5. Still room for teens to join us on the beautiful southern coast of Maine!!
Remember: Jesus loves all the people you hate.
Based on the other bumper sticker on the car, I think this was probably aimed at a particular political group, which makes it a bit tinged with irony, but political agendas is not where I am going.
That statement is arresting. Of course, Christians aren't supposed to hate others -- only evil. We're supposed to love. There is temptation to hate though.
Think about it. That statement means that Jesus loves:
People who disparage our ministry, thwart us at work, dismiss our opinions, or militantly hold political or theological views that are radically different from our own.
It means He loves those who:
Who walked out on us when they shouldn't have or when they had no obligation to stay but we wanted them to, who have lied to us, who have caused us harm
And He calls us to love them, too.
What does that love look like? There is no easy answer to that. It will look different in every case. It will mean forgiveness, and perhaps repentance, on our parts. Sometimes it will mean listening when we know we are right or acting to help someone with whom we disagree.
It does not mean staying in physical danger from flying fists and drunken tirades, but it does mean seeking the best for all the people in our lives even when that is uncomfortable or requires confrontation .
It's challenging. It's downright hard. But it must be done.
I will be exploring this and other themes at the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park beginning on August 5. Still room for teens to join us on the beautiful southern coast of Maine!!
Ouch. That hurt.
ReplyDeleteRejoice and be glad.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I thought the same thing when I saw it.
ReplyDelete