When did we let hate get so ordinary? Singer/songwriter Josh Wilson asks this question in his newest release, “Revolutionary.” If I’m not mistaken, he’s talking to us, the Church. The ones who should know better. When Jesus said, “They will know us by our love.”, He was actually describing our credentials as believers. We don’t wear nametags or hang diplomas on the wall to identify ourselves. We simply love. He has sent us into the world as His ambassadors to share the Good News of the Gospel and it has to happen in love. We can’t carry out our kingdom mission any other way.
At Wichita Falls Faith Mission, our goal has been the same for 60 years. To address and end homelessness and share the Gospel with all who will hear. We have found that love is the best way to do this. Do we have disagreements from time to time? Of course. Do we always share the same political views or religious traditions? Of course not. But we can agree on one thing. Love is always right.
I think hate has become so prevalent in our world because, just like every other creation of God, Satan has twisted and perverted the way we relate to one another. In a sense, he has made it convenient and even popular to hate. The world has convinced us that if we disagree with someone, they have to be our enemy. Satan has also distorted our understanding of love. It is not a feeling, but rather a decision to love someone. We choose to love because God loved us first.
It really is revolutionary to stand for love and goodness in our world. We may find ourselves swimming upstream in a river of meanness and hatefulness but isn’t that the point. As Christians, we get to be different.
Who can you show love to today? I mean, besides your family and friends. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said this, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Can you imagine a world like that? God does and He has called on us to stand out in a dark world with His light of love.
