Whenever we ‘Christians’ declare angrily, or self-righteously, that we hate others, we can be sure that we are not following Jesus, who taught that we are to love everyone, including our enemies.
So, whoever the targets of our hatred, prejudice, discrimination, rejection, exploitation, abuse, or violence are, for example:
Refugees
Immigrants
People whose faith is different from ours
People who speak a language different from ours
People whose skin is a different colour from ours
People whose gender is different from ours
People whose sexuality is different from ours
People who dress differently from us
People whose customs and values are different from ours
Poor people
Rich people
Unemployed people
Homeless people
Prisoners
Refugees
People who are different from us physically, mentally, intellectually, developmentally, emotionally, neurologically, or spiritually
Children
Politicians
Strangers
Foreigners
Enemies
Anyone at all
… we can be absolutely sure that we are not behaving like Christians, becauseGod is love.
God and Love are synonymous, inclusive and universal. Therefore, all hatred is incompatible with the Christian faith, as taught by Jesus, our Saviour and example.
Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
References
He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).
Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).
Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked (Luke 6:35; NLT).
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:44-8; NIV).
When they came to the place that is called called The Skull, there they crucified him… And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:33-4; ESV).
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NLT).