As Christians, we’re angry.
- We’re angry that educators and legislators are attempting to deny parents any say in the sexual choices of their own children.
- We’re angry that criminals are put back on the street without posting bail.
- We’re angry that concerned parents who speak up at school meetings are branded as domestic terrorists.
We’re angry about a lot of things. But we’re wise to test our anger against the standards of Scripture.
- It’s okay to be angry about sin.
- It’s okay to hate sin—we must!
- But it’s not okay to hate sinners.
Have you noticed that many Christians seem to be excelling at yelling yet shriveled in compassion for those opposing them?
Jesus said, “Love your enemies. Do good to those who persecute you.” But how often do we give people around us the idea that we hate them—not just their ungodly ideas?
Do unbelievers around us know us for our frowns and fists—clenched in anger? Or are they comforted (perhaps even confused) by the kind ways we care for them, even as we oppose their ideas?
When Jesus was dragged away in chains from the garden of Gethsemane, He did not hate one single sword-bearing brute in the mob. He loved them! He said of the soldiers who pounded the nails into His hands and feet, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” No doubt Christ hated the pain and the sin that created it, but He loved those sinners.
News Flash: It is not in our future to be respected and loved, and affirmed by the world. It didn’t happen for Jesus and surely won’t for us, either.
This does not mean Christians should smile wanly and become roadkill. This does not mean we should remain silent as ungodly laws and immoral ideas are debated in the public square.
Those who oppose what is godly ought to feel our (biblical) vehemence—but never our venom. Much more than that, they must know we love them.
Tricky business, eh? No wonder Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing!”
