Watch Out for Hatred and Strife

News events in these days bring into sharp focus that anger and hatred that so many seem to be filled with as opinions and convictions about numerous issues come into focus.

There’s no doubt that people will have different political ideas and even varied religious convictions and unfortunately guns and other hate crimes are too often the route chosen to express those differences.  One side acts poorly and the other reacts and temperature and intensity of verbal attacks and other crimes increase.

This is not God’s way.  Can I say it again, particularly to my brothers and sisters who say they are followers of Jesus Christ – hateful angry sarcastic speech and acts of violence are not God’s way.

In fact, what each of us needs to be doing today, in the face of violence and vitriol, is to examine our own hearts and actions.  Listen to these words from God’s Word:

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.  Galatians 5:15

Loving God, Your Word is clear about what is right and wrong, what is helpful and harmful.  Your heart is grieved when people teach things that are not true and make laws that go against what You have told us bring life.  And yet, in Your great love for them, You provide a Saviour and give them time to repent.

You always spoke truth and You were ready to counter false claims that people made but you always did so with respect.  We have a lot to learn from what You said and did.

When others were mocking You as You hung on the cross, You stayed there and died for their sin rather than lashing out against them.

Lord, show us Your way.  Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be those who seek peace and mutual upbuilding across our cultural and even religious differences.  Amen.

And so friends, here is God’s counsel that I simply want to echo for us today:

Romans 14:19 – So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.

Have a peaceful day speaking and living in the wise counsel of our God.