The Culture of hate v. The Culture of Love and Truth

By:  Dale Weckbacher

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 

NKJV

If an alien race were to come to our planet, there is little doubt they would conclude we live in a culture of hate with love relegated to its sexual definition.  It would only take a cursory look at the news to see the hatred that exists and only a few minutes of viewing the Kardashians and the Bachelor or most reality programs to arrive at this conclusion.  Even our advertising demonstrates the over infatuation of our society with sex. 

Radical Islam continues to vow death to Israel, (1) the United States, or anyone else not converting to the religion of Islam.  The culture of radical Islam condones killing infidels, or those choosing not to convert to Islam, and even promises a reward for those carrying out the deed even if it means killing themselves in the process.  Yet, our leaders believe if we can negotiate with these radicals believing they will honor their agreement with us and not carry out their plans of ending the world of all infidels. 

Planned Parenthood, an organization known for its support of abortion is now accused of killing babies, (2) or fetuses as they put it, and selling their body parts for medical research.  (3)  This demonstrates their hatred towards the unborn, relegating them to a commodity that can raise funds for more abortions.  In addition, those on the pro-choice side of the debate have hatred towards pro-life people.  (4)  Unfortunately, some radical pro-life people also have hatred towards pro-choice people.  (5)  All the while, the debate goes on while more unborn human babies are murdered by abortion.

Then we have the hatred stirred up by racial tensions in our nation evidenced by the riots in Ferguson Missouri and Baltimore Maryland along with the uproar over the Confederate Flag, claiming it was the cause of a tragic church shooting.  (6)  The truth is that race baiters fuel racial tensions for profit.  (7) 

There is also political hatred between Democrats and Republicans, which makes it virtually impossible to solve the nation’s real problems.  Granted, there are ideological and political differences but in today’s culture of hatred, instead of debating these issues we resort to hateful rhetoric and name-calling.  The country faces serious problems in all areas and hateful rhetoric is preventing leaders from coming up with solutions. 

In contrast to this culture of hatred, we have the words of Jesus in John 13:34-35 that we are to love one another.  Left to these words only, this could be interpreted to mean that we are only required to love fellow believers.  However, Jesus follows these words by telling his Disciples that this love will demonstrate to all men that they are followers of Jesus.  In addition, by calling this a new commandment, Jesus is in essence clarifying the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves by defining neighbors as not just those living next to us but anyone. 

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17) even though he knew one, Judas, would betray him and the others would desert Him.  Jesus also died on a cross even though he had no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) in order to give all humanity the opportunity to enjoy eternal life (John 3:16).  In Luke6:27 we are told to love our enemies and those that hate us.  This means today that we as Christians must love radical Islamists, abortion doctors at Planned Parenthood, racists, and people of the other political party.  The culture of love as defined by Jesus in Scripture seems to be at odds with Christians taking a stand against evil in our world but this is not so.

In His discourse with the women at the well, Jesus told her the following,

John 4:24

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

NKJV

As Christians, we are to worship God in the Spirit of love following the example of our savior who died for those that hated Him and truth, the truth of the Bible, the Word of God.  In other words, we are to love the sinner and condemn the sin for Jesus did not come to the world to condemn it but to save it (John 3:17). 

If you are reading this and are a member of radical Islam, someone working at Planned Parenthood who participated in the butchering of unborn babies, someone who is racist, or someone filled with hatred towards those not agreeing with them politically, I love you and want to invite you to accept the gift of eternal life from Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Now I encourage you to begin studying the Bible, the Word of God for now that you have accepted Jesus as savior and have the Holy Spirit within you, the Bible will unfold for you and you will understand it as never before.  This will mean the discovery that some of our beliefs or things we do are contrary to God’s Word but we must remember that it is when we confront these issues and deal with them in our lives, our relationship with Jesus grows stronger.  It is how we move from a diet of spiritual milk to solid food (1 Corinthians 3:2). 

1. AP, Times of Israel Staff and AFP. Amid Chants of 'Death to Israel,' Iran Leader Calls for 'Win-Win' nuke deal. www.timesofisrael.com. [Online] The Times of Israel, February 11, 2015. [Cited: July 19, 2015.] http://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-chants-of-death-to-israel-iran-leader-calls-for-win-win-nuke-deal/.

2. McLaughlin, Steve Almaxy and Eliott C. Planned Parenthood exec. fetal body parts subject of controversial video. www.cnn.com. [Online] CNN, July 15, 2015. [Cited: July 19, 2015.] www.cnn.com/2015/07/15/health/planned-parenthood-undercover-video/.

3. Ertelt, Steven. 5th shocking Video Catches Planned Parenthood official selling "Fully Intact Aborted Babies. www.lifenews.com. [Online] LifeNews.com, August 4, 2015. [Cited: August 9, 2015.] www.lifenews.com/2015/08/04/5th-shocking-video-catches-planned-parenthood-official-selling-fully-intact-aborted-babies/.

4. Teenbreaks.com. Pro-Choice Hatred Toward Pro-Life Views. www.teenbreaks.com. [Online] Teenbreaks.com. [Cited: August 9, 2015.] www.teenbreaks.com/abortion/prochoice-hatred-prolife.cfm.

5. Booth, William. Doctor Killed During Abortion Protest. www.washingtonpost.com. [Online] The Washington Post, March 11, 1993. [Cited: August 9, 2015.] www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/abortviolence/stories/gunn.htm.

6. Jenkins, Jack. How the Charleston Shooting is Linked To The Confederate Flag, According To A South Carolinian. www.thinkprogress.org. [Online] ThinkProgress, June 19, 2015. [Cited: August 9, 2015.] www.thinkprogress.org/culture/2015/06/19/3671684/charleston-shooting-confederate-flag/.

7. Lopata, Andrew. Al Sharpton Cashing In On Ferguson Franchise By Announcing 25 New Locations To Protest. www.business2community.com. [Online] Business 2 Community, November 20, 2014. [Cited: December 2, 2014.] http://www.business2community.com/us-news/al-sharpton-cashing-ferguson-franchise-announcing-25-new-locations-protest-01074949.