I was inspired to start this series on last week. I was deeply grieved by a story that I heard on the news. Here, in Dallas ,TX, there was a brutal hate crime committed against two homosexual males. Five men beat the victims with baseball bats. While hate crimes are nothing new, this one in particular pierced my heart. It is very scary to think that we’ve gotten to a place in society where people believe that they can exact judgment on others because they disagree with them. I don’t agree with the homosexual lifestyle. However, I must say that no one has the ability to hurt, harm, abuse or kill someone just because they disagree with a person’s lifestyle. These actions don’t reflect love. If love is not reflected, God is not glorified.
There is a popular passage in Matthew 24 that speaks to the signs of the times. In the twelfth verse of that chapter it says, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” I want to focus on the b portion of that scripture. The scripture was not just talking about love towards God growing cold; it was talking about love towards our brothers and sisters. In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells his disciples that the thing that will distinguish you as my followers will be your love for one another. He said that love would be the litmus test for a true disciple. Well, nothing has changed. Love is still the litmus test.
It saddens me to know that we are at a place where we only value the life that we can agree with and dispose of that which we don’t. This is not love. Love knows how to look past without dismissing. I know that may sound strange to you but let me explain. 1 Peter 4:8 states that love covers a multitude of sins. We should be able to see the sin, pray for deliverance but still treat the person with love and respect. See, I am not saying that we should not be concerned with sin. I am saying that we must learn to love people regardless and let our love for people be the thing that draws them to Christ.
You weren’t always saved. In the midst of your salvation, you don’t always make choices that reflect your election to salvation. However, God still loves you. We must become a merciful people, full of compassion. There is an old song that says, “He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.” My need was redemption and he accomplished that through showing love by sending his only son. We, too, are sons of God. Now, he has sent us to the world as a sign of His love to redeem souls for the kingdom. However, we must realize that their need is greater than any fault. Now, I don’t know if the men who carried out this heinous crime professed Christ. And, their profession is not the basis of my plea. My plea stems from a world that is growing ever colder because there are not enough candles burning to keep it warm. We are supposed to be the light. We are supposed to be the example. Where is the church that will stand and show people how to love? Where is the church that will teach a doctrine of truth without any flourishes of bias, prejudice or hate? It is time for that church to stand up and be known. It is time for the people of God to love without expectation of return. It is time that we love like Jesus, willingly and unselfishly to all and for all. Stay on the Path.
About the Author: Path contributing writer Calvin Walker has been writing editorial content for Path MEGAzine since 2007. Calvin’s ability to break down the word of God with thought provoking analogies and real life analysis makes an impact on Christians seeking a closer walk with God. An accomplished author, Walker released his debut book titled “The Gallery” early 2010. Click here to read excerpts and purchase Walkers’ book.
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About the Author: Path contributing writer Calvin Walker has been writing editorial content for Path MEGAzine since 2007. Calvin’s ability to break down the word of God with thought provoking analogies and real life analysis makes an impact on Christians seeking a closer walk with God. An accomplished author, Walker released his debut book titled “The Gallery” early 2010. Click here to read excerpts and purchase Walkers’ book.
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