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Erik Hatch's Weekly Devotional
2009-05-27 14:17:00
Author: Erik Hatch
Hate is easy. Love takes courage.
Gay people. People who get abortions. Your enemies. Terrorists. Republicans. Democrats. George Bush. Barack Obama.
The above list is a very abridged version of the most common list of folks I can think of that are hated. Now I understand that hate is a strong word, but the opposite of hate is love – so bear with me. My guess is that most of us have a pretty strong “distaste” or hatred for some people in this world.
For me, I think my father has been, for part of my life, my #1 on the ol’ hate list. I hated him for cheating on my mom. I hated him for his drug and alcohol addictions. I hated him for his neglect. I hated him for never being there for me. I hated him for so many things. I would probably be lying to you all if I said that I was over all that hate.
Where it gets tricky for me is when I read scripture. I can try and interpret different passages according to the times, authors, and context. But Jesus was asked bluntly which of all of God’s commandments is the most important. And the guy that asked him was said to be “an expert in the law.” Simply put – that guy was a politician, a lawyer, or someone else that we would consider greatly educated.
Jesus says (Matthew 22:3-40):
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
I wish so badly that I could hang onto my hate for my father. But if I read the words that Christ spoke clearly, I can understand that I first need to love God with all I have – and then I need to love other people (like I love myself). So even though my disappointment and anger towards my father exist, I still must love.
Love isn’t just what Jesus does – it’s who Jesus is.
So do you have the love of Christ in your heart for gay people? The members of the GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Tran
sgender) community are children of God – and we are commanded by Christ to love our neighbor as ourselves. And when Jesus responds to the Pharisee in the gospel of Matthew it doesn’t say “unless they’re gay…or have had an abortion…or have wronged you…or have wronged our country…or are a part of a different political party.” It doesn’t say that because it shouldn’t. We are called to love.
God loves everyone. Why shouldn’t we?
Every time you use an excuse to justify your lack of love, you are reshaping scripture – which is phenomenally dangerous.
Now please don’t misunderstand me. I understand that we’re called to discern the word of God, the teachings of scripture, and implement them in our lives. We aren’t supposed to be blind to the unjust things of the world. But when Jesus sums it all up, he commands us to love.
It won’t be easy – but it’ll be worth it. Hate is easy; love takes courage. It’s about time we act as courageous Christians instead of ones who condemn.
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Erik Hatch
Director of Youth Ministries
First Lutheran Church
ehatch@flcfargo.org
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