Toward Loving Like Jesus!

For those of us who profess Jesus as Lord - our litmus test is how well are we loving people? 

Our true selves are revealed in the midst of opposing views...are you continuing to love and respect the sacred worth of people and people groups with whom you are at odds?

Agape (unconditional) love is not guided by politics, culture or majority opinion. Christians who support(ed) and/or practice(d) oppression aren't led by the love of Jesus. Jesus said, "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to set the oppressed free". When we demonize "the Other" (people of our opposite gender, race, sexual orientation, class, political affiliation, nationality, color, religion, and opinions/beliefs, etc.) we are devoid of Agape love:

"...for those who do not love a brother or sister whom 

they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen." I John 4:20

Following Jesus' interactions with "the Other",  he extends love and forgiveness to thieves, extortionists, adulterers, the mentally ill, homeless persons, and those who disagreed with him, etc. Jesus' most hostile responses were aimed at the religionists, the self-righteous and the defenders of oppressive systems. Jesus made it plain in response to the keepers of the law (systems of oppression, wielders of power, oligarchs, and maintainers of traditions, etc.): “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love "the Other" as yourself.”

The vehemence we witness from Christians against their "Other" begs the question what sort of God engages in a systematic annihilation of Her creation - how else can the willful dehumanization of one's personhood, the murder of one's body, and/or the destruction/dismantling of one's soul be explained? 

"If" Jesus had to admit having a favorite - their names would be the Least, the Oppressed! 

Loving like Jesus is more "bridge to" than "wall against" the Other!!!

I Love You, 

Pastor Marcus 

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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus J. Singleton

PastorSingleton@gmail.com

(205) 440-2879