Dear Partner in Ministry,
Division and polarization have become a staple of our present cultural moment in the United States. Indeed, it has become difficult to take a strong position on almost anything without encountering a vigorous, and often hostile, response. In the midst of these circumstances, an increasing number of our fellow citizens are expressing openness to bending the law and engaging in violence to achieve their chosen ends and triumph over their opponents. Jesus warns us that in such times the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:12).
The followers of Jesus must resist this temptation, even in the face of things that make us angry. Now anger itself is not inappropriate. Scripture tells us that God gets angry at evil, injustice, and oppression. It’s not wrong to share God’s anger at these circumstances, especially when this motivates us to respond constructively. The problem is when anger causes love to grow cold and turns into hatred of others. This is in direct conflict with the way of Jesus.
He teaches that love should be the central expression of his followers because God is love, and that this extends even to our enemies. In Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”
Because Christians worship the God who is love, we must love all people, including those who are our enemies. Nothing less than our witness to the gospel is at stake. If we ignore this most basic calling or fail to live it out in the world, we are not faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and are not practicing Christian faith—no matter what else we may say or do. “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
John
