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Love and Hate

Let me start out by saying that I believe that we have come a long way in the fight against racial and economic inequality in America. With, that being said, I believe that we have a long way to go in this fight. Several weeks ago, the truth of that statement was made even more real to me when I read about an incident of racial discrimination at a Pennsylvania golf course. Five black women had the police called on them because they refused to leave the course after being accused of playing too slow. There were witnesses saying otherwise, but the owner of the course claimed they broke course rules. It was clear after hearing the whole story the only crime that was committed was against these women. As I read the story and watched the corresponding video my heart ached for those women. Out of my spirit arose the question “Where is the church?”. Where is the Body of Christ when injustices are apparently burning brighter than our lights? We as believers can no longer sit back and make excuses. I am sure most people would agree that it is easier to say, “I feel bad for you” than to feel for me and be willing to do something to fight for me. The reality is whether or not we realize it discrimination affects us all. Dr. King in his letter from the Birmingham jail wrote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. If the church of the Lord Jesus Christ does not revolt against injustice everywhere, are we the church? We have the answer to the woes of society, yet stay silent. Imagine having your loved ones locked in a cage with a wild animal while you hold the keys. There is not one loving person who would hesitate, but instead swiftly unlock the door and free their family. The same dangers persist in our society with division and racism all around us. My fellow believers, we have the key and it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Good News that God sent Jesus to be Savior of the whole world and not just Savior, but Lord. The Ruler of our hearts and lives, who rules with love. Love is the root of the Gospel and love is the most powerful weapon in fighting discrimination. Nelson Mandela said this, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love…”. While it is possible to teach people to love, our human love is limited. However, when we learn to allow God’s love to flow through us there is no limit. The God kind of love is unconditional, all powerful, and totally forgiving. 1 Cor. 13:4-8, says, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself; is not puffed up; does not behave rudely; does not seek its own; is not provoked; thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails….” In the face of hatred, the love of God must shine forth as a beacon of hope for ALL who have been beat down and feel hopeless. It is debatable that any one group of people have it worse than another when you consider the whole world and all its peoples. What should not be debatable is if the church has an option to do something about it. Love is the key to unlock the bondages of hate so that ALL can experience the very best of what God has for us. Acts 17:26-27, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us…”.


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