As I age, I have come
to realize that I have fewer answers and more questions. I am less rigid on the boundaries of right
and wrong, in the context of people’s personal decisions and lifestyle
choices. Things appear more gray than
black and white. Now, before I get a barrage
of emails telling me that the Bible is very much black and white and we, as
Christians, are not to live in the gray… hear me out.
We are all very much
alike. Regardless of upbringing,
cultural background, religion, political affiliation, race and sexual
preference, we are human beings. We have
bodies that function the same; and minds and souls. We make decisions for our lives based on what
we think, how we feel and what “moves” us internally. We have unique gifts and talents, that when
we come together, are used to help and entertain one another. We share a fundamental foundation of truth
that is innate in humanity. It wasn’t
learned, but has existed inside of us from the moment we were birthed. It says this: Love is right.
Hate is wrong. Love is
healthy. Hate is harmful. Love is good.
Hate is bad.
I do not believe anyone
on the planet will argue with that fundamental statement. We, as people, long to be loved and are, in
essence, created as an extension of love.
Love is internal and inbred in us; but we must be taught to hate. Hate is an external entity that one makes a
personal choice to grasp and invite inside.
The Bible says that “God
is love.” Thus, He is the absence of
hate. The Bible also says we are not to
judge one another. In the words of
Mother Theresa, “If you are judging
someone you are too busy to love them.”
Judgment and love cannot go hand in hand for human beings. When we judge it is a hate-driven attitude that then becomes a hate-driven action. For a person to cast judgment, even in the name of
God, it is still an action of hate and not one of love.
Only God has the right to cast judgment and only God has the ability to
be able to judge and love simultaneously.
Part of our human
nature is that we want to believe we are right, that we have the answers, that
we’re the best, the chosen, that we are as-close-to-perfect-as-a-human-can-be. But, this is just a lie that we tell
ourselves. We cannot be perfect and we’re
not supposed to be. We weren’t created
with an expectation of perfection. We
were created out of love for the purpose of love…loving God and loving one
another.
That’s what life is all
about.
Sometimes we think that
we’re supposed to have the answers…but maybe we’re supposed to have the
questions. Seeking the answers is what
causes growth. The lesson doesn’t lie in
the destination, but in the journey.
See, love has no
ego. Love is not self-serving. Love doesn’t go into ministry for the
popularity of being known in Christian circles.
Love doesn’t talk other Christians or other religions down and love
doesn’t puff itself up. Love doesn't use fear-tactics and threats. Love doesn’t
destroy families and friendships, but cherishes that which God has given for this lifetime. Love
isn’t satisfied with fake, shallow, hollow relationships. Love doesn't care about image. In a world where hate prevails in our churches and is spewed forth from our pulpits, love is our only savior and our Savior (Jesus) is
love.
At the core level, there is no greater truth than love. "Faith. Hope. And Love. But the greatest of these is love." Everything else will fade away...and all that will be left is love. ~
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