by Gregory A. Johnson
We live in a day when hate fueled by hate-filled speech is threatening to destroy peace and civility. Hate-driven violence is abusing and taking precious lives of people who are made in the image and likeness of God himself.
Fear that is bread by hate and its evilness threatens to paralyze and hold people's thoughts and actions hostage in a day when all thoughts and actions need to be attentive to the needs of others—those who are vulnerable and trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty and all the ills that it produces, regardless of age, race, gender, and religion.
Friend, we are to love as God loves. We are to love as Jesus showed us when he walked this earth. Our speech and our actions are to reflect the speech and actions of Jesus.
Beloved, as followers of Christ, we are to see others as he does. His compassion and mercy for ALL people are to be reflected through us—through our speech and through our actions. There is no tolerance for hate; it is evil. We love as Jesus loves. Love defeats hate. Love wins!
"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8)."