Scripture is clear about one thing: there are two aspects to spirituality, the horizontal and the vertical. And those two aspects are interwoven with each other.
Simply put, you can not have a relationship with God (the vertical) if you don’t have a relationship with His children (the horizontal). Our vertical relationship is evidenced by the horizontal relationships.
If we concentrate on one at the expense of the other then both will become distorted. If we think that we can love God and fail to love all people then we can’t love God.
But I see Christians far too often try to do just that.
Growing up I was called by a lot of different names that were not my choosing.
I had bad acne, was overweight and had bad teeth.
I was a convenient target for a lot of name-calling.
It hurt. Some days, when I am truly honest and reflective, it still does.
I longed for the day that I would grow up and the name calling would cease.
Because adults, especially Christian adults, would never stoop to name-calling, right?
Right?
Refined, educated, godly people would never resort to slurs or epithets, would they?
What I have found, instead, is an all too pervasive proclivity to brandish people with derogatory aspersions. And I know that it grieves God.
I am amazed by how Christians will condescend to name-calling with those that we disagree with:
Homosexuals are a ‘bunch of queers,’ ’sicko’s,’ ‘fruits,’ ‘homo’s’ ‘perverts’ or ‘fags.’ Despite the fact that they are children of God.
Muslims are ‘towel heads,’ ’stans’ and they are all ‘zealous fanatics hell-bent on destroying the world.’ Despite the fact that they are children of God.
Environmentalists are ‘tree huggers’ and ‘environmentalist wackos.’ Despite the fact that they are children of God.
Those who are pro-choice are ‘baby-killers.’ Despite the fact that they are children of God.
Democrats are ‘commies,’ ‘pinko scum’ and ‘America haters.’ Despite the fact that they are children of God.
African Americans are, well you get the point.
To me, the saddest part of all of this is that these are phrases that I hear coming out of the mouth of Christians.
In the defense of what we believe to be true and right we have marginalized and stereotyped the very people that our Savior died for.
In John 10 Jesus proclaims that He is the Good Shepherd. He also proclaims that His sheep know His voice (v. 3)
How sad and appalling, nay damnable, it is that so many precious souls of God never get to hear the voice of the Shepherd because all they hear from His sheep is hatred and slurs.
And understand this, it is hatred. Everytime we utter the slur or insult, hatred has seized our heart. And we do not love God
We will never win the souls of homosexuals, Muslims, etc if we stand on the periphery of their lives and hurl our insults their way. And we do not love God.
We can disagree with their lifestyle choices or political views all day long but there is NEVER any defense for invective.
Yes, we need to “speak the truth in love.” However, aspersions are neither true, nor are they love. If Jesus is the Truth, and I believe Him to be, then we must approach those He loves as we would approach Him.
Christians, when we resort to name-calling then we negate an opportunity to be Christ to others. Jesus is our example, not Ann Coulter (I pray that she will experience God’s love).
Stop worrying so much about whether or not people know that you hate the sin. Stop worrying so much about labeling the sinner.
Let’s love God’s children.
Because understand this: by hurling hurtful names you show hatred toward God.
Growing up when I was called ‘fatty’ or ‘bucky’ or ‘zit-face’ it tore me up. When I turn my ire upon someone else today through the same weapon of name-calling I grieve the Lord.
Let’s end the name calling and instead be the voice of the Good Shepherd in a lost and dying world, shall we?