Winds of Love and Hate

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On Monday, May 25, Jim posted "You can't love Christ and hate his Church"on his hope&humor website.

Next Sunday is Pentecost, so it’s a good time to remember, the church may not be perfect, but it is worthy of our support. Jesus called it his bride and body!

So, here are some biblical reasons to “not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).

But wait! There’s more:

• Can we have a “personal relationship” with Christ? Or is it a relationship with his Church?
• Dealing with church conflict When two or three are gathered, there conflict will be.
• Do you really want a ‘biblical’ church? I don’t think so!
• The Watkins New World Church Dictionary
• Top ten signs your church may be prejudiced

On Wednesday, May 27, Jim offered this response to a comment in a post he titled " 'White Christian' responds to charge of racism, supremancy."

I am furious—and brokenhearted—after receiving this comment on my website:

White. Christians. Not. Only. Support. Trump. They. Support. White. Police. Murdering. Unarmed. Black. Men. Christanity. Is. White. Supremacy. georgexxxxxx@gmail.com

I’m not furious at the comment. I’m furious that this is the perception some so-called “Christians” encourage. And I’m brokenhearted for this brother who has obviously been hurt and offended by attitudes and actions against him. So, here’s my response:

Thanks for your comment, George. Your perception of “Christians” is unfortunately true in more and more cases. I share your hurt and anger! How dare people claim the name of Christ and then be filled with hate, judgment, and racism. That is so anti-Christ.

This breaks my heart and I’m so very sorry. I’m praying that today you meet a “white Christian” who truly loves Jesus and fully respects you as a fellow Creation of a loving God. Know that Christ thoroughly loves you and so do those who fully follow him. Jim

Here’s what I would like all people claiming the name of Christ to humbly consider. (The comment certainly caused me to do some serious soul-searching.)

Jesus himself warned there would be people claiming to be his followers to whom he will say, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws” (Matthew 7:23).

And what is God’s law?

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:38-39).

Jesus also taught:

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35).

Followers of Jesus are members of a “Kingdom” that supersedes political parties and nationalities.

St. Paul and St. John also strongly pronounce:

There is no longer Jew or Gentile [race], slave or free [social status], male and female [gender]. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).

None of us are perfect! But love that comes from God overcomes racial or political bias. It motivates peace-makers. And it brings opposing “sides” together.

St. Paul who lived in a world divided by politics, race, religion and sexism, so he concluded his letter to the Romans this way:

Watch out for people who cause divisions. . . . Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people (Romans 16:17-18).

Christians. Live. Love. Like. Jesus.

Copyright © 2020 James N. Watkins

Related sites

• Action Figure Jesus Separating Jesus from sterotypes
• The divisive issues issue Posts addressing political divisions—and solutions
• Race relations by the numbers My award-winning article on race relations
• Top ten signs your church may be prejuiced

Links for Bible references go to BibleGateway.com, where you can change translations, see the context, listen to audio, and find other resources.