Can you hate and go to heaven?
There is an alarming segment of popular "Christianity" today, especially in Western countries, that teaches it is alright to hate. To hate someone because they are of a different faith- say Muslim. To hate someone because they have a different sexual orientation- ie, they're gay. To hate someone because they come from another country- such as an illegal immigrant
There is an alarming segment of popular "Christianity" today, especially in Western countries, that teaches it is alright to hate. To hate someone because they are of a different faith- say Muslim. To hate someone because they have a different sexual orientation- ie, they're gay. To hate someone because they come from another country- such as an illegal immigrant
in America. To hate someone because they are poor and need government help. To hate someone because they are of a different political party. We see this hate affirmed by pundits on television, politicians endorse it, and hate filled messages fly around on social networking sites such as facebook with alarming speeds.
But is it okay? I mean, did the God who loves "the world" (Jn 3:16) enough to die for everyone in it, really mean for His followers to justify hate in His name?
God gave His followers specific guidelines of what to believe, and how to live; but He never gave us the right to condemn anyone else, to take away their rights, to mock them or, heaven forbid, kill them. I know I have sinned in my life, so following Christ's teachings in Jn 8:7, I am not able to cast the first stone at anyone. I can decide, and need to decide, if my choices for my life are in line with the Bible's teachings, and I can in love share the Bible's teachings, but that is as far as I am allowed to go. I must not judge as in condemnation, for that right is not given to me. There is no Biblical statute that gives me the right to take another's rights from them. And I must not hate.
Hate is dangerous. For if God is love, as 1 John 4:8 teaches, then the defining trademark of a Christian should be love. Hate comes from somewhere else, and it is not godly, but of the enemy.
Hate keeps those who think they are believers out of eternal life with Christ. If you hate....you don't go to your eternal reward, but eternal punishment.
1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
If you catch yourself thinking thoughts of hate and judgment, get into prayer immediately! Ask the Lord to forgive you, correct you and guide you. Your soul's destination is at stake. Let all you do be done in love. Yes, we all mess up sometimes, that is why we must keep vigilant watch upon ourselves. Think before you speak- am I speaking in love? Think before you act- am I acting in love? Think before you forward a news story- does this promote love or discord? Think before you post on facebook or twitter- does this further the kingdom of God, does this show my love? Or does it show that I am following God in name only but not love and deed?
-Beth Butler
But is it okay? I mean, did the God who loves "the world" (Jn 3:16) enough to die for everyone in it, really mean for His followers to justify hate in His name?
God gave His followers specific guidelines of what to believe, and how to live; but He never gave us the right to condemn anyone else, to take away their rights, to mock them or, heaven forbid, kill them. I know I have sinned in my life, so following Christ's teachings in Jn 8:7, I am not able to cast the first stone at anyone. I can decide, and need to decide, if my choices for my life are in line with the Bible's teachings, and I can in love share the Bible's teachings, but that is as far as I am allowed to go. I must not judge as in condemnation, for that right is not given to me. There is no Biblical statute that gives me the right to take another's rights from them. And I must not hate.
Hate is dangerous. For if God is love, as 1 John 4:8 teaches, then the defining trademark of a Christian should be love. Hate comes from somewhere else, and it is not godly, but of the enemy.
Hate keeps those who think they are believers out of eternal life with Christ. If you hate....you don't go to your eternal reward, but eternal punishment.
1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
If you catch yourself thinking thoughts of hate and judgment, get into prayer immediately! Ask the Lord to forgive you, correct you and guide you. Your soul's destination is at stake. Let all you do be done in love. Yes, we all mess up sometimes, that is why we must keep vigilant watch upon ourselves. Think before you speak- am I speaking in love? Think before you act- am I acting in love? Think before you forward a news story- does this promote love or discord? Think before you post on facebook or twitter- does this further the kingdom of God, does this show my love? Or does it show that I am following God in name only but not love and deed?
-Beth Butler
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