The Opposite of Love

What is the opposite of love? Typically, our immediate answer is “hate.” But perhaps the answer may not be as obvious as it seems.

Love is an active emotion that requires our time and energy. Loving includes caring for someone, doing things for them, thinking of them, and feeling good about having them in our lives. But often, hating someone isn’t necessarily the opposite, but just another extreme.

The common saying is, “There is a thin line between love and hate.” Truth be told, people spend a lot of time and energy on hating each other. If there is someone out there that we hate, way may spend way too much time thinking about that person and how much we can’t stand having them in our lives.  And while we may not do things for them, we may think about what we can do to them.

So then, if not hatred, what is the opposite of love? Perhaps it is indifference.

If loving someone means allowing them to take up valuable real estate in your thoughts and emotions—couldn’t the opposite of that mean an absence of any thinking and feeling at all? Not apathy—the kind of indifference we often show toward strangers on the street. But true indifference to someone in our lives includes rejecting their presence, neglecting their needs, and treating them without care.

Yet, regardless of whether the opposite of love is hatred or callous indifference, neither is pleasing to God. Christ commanded us to “love one another” (John 13:34-35).
I Corinthians 13 gives us the Biblical definition of love, where we see the actions that are required of love.

Let’s love each other as our Father in heaven loves us.

“Bunch of Phonies”

One of the harshest indictments against church-going Christians today is that we’re just a “bunch of phonies.” Non-believers and those who rebel against “organized religion” have gone so far as to say that the church itself is the problem with our society. So let’s keep it real…

With scandal after scandal coming out of Christian churches, it’s no wonder we are looked at with scorn. Sexual abuse at the hands of church leaders has driven away the masses. Church leaders taking child brides, practicing homosexuality, womanizing, and committing other sexually charged offenses have also helped to empty the pews. In addition, church-sponsored demonstrations that seem to be fueled by hate and fear along with physically violent and fatal attacks against those with opposing views and practices leave a negative impression in the minds of many. And even individually, many believers struggle with interpersonal relationships and family problems that may make their Christian walk seem less than genuine.

When we call ourselves Christians, we identify ourselves as followers of Christ. As such, there is a very reasonable expectation that we should then follow His example. Too often, we miss the mark. But how can we, who are sinful, truly imitate the example of He who lived a life without sin?

Jesus made it very easy. In John 13:34, He says simply, “Love one another.”

Our goal as Christians should never be merely the appearance of holiness—that’s phony religion. That was the very thing that Christ found most detestable in the Pharisees and Sadducees during His ministry on earth. As Christians, we need to take on an internal holiness that begins with love for each other. As Jesus went on to say in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples [followers], if you love one another.”

Love is not easy—it requires sacrifice. It may mean giving up some of our own time, resources, strength, and even our emotional defenses in order to let people know how much we truly love and care for them. It also means having the spiritual maturity to refrain from certain things to avoid hurting those around us. And while there are many things in this sinful world that we as Christians can stand against, we must always keep in mind to hate the sin, but love the sinner.

Real Christians Love.

 

Spring Break?

The term spring break brings to mind images of teens going wild, let loose in sunny locales with no parental supervision. What is meant to be time off from the humdrum everyday sameness of schoolwork and responsibility often goes to the extreme of total abandon. But as the weather becomes more pleasant and the daily routine becomes less appealing, sometimes adults catch a case of “spring fever” as well.

For many, the spring season opens up a host of new opportunities. Fishing season begins, it becomes much easier to wash the car in the warmer temperature, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. With the 5-day workweek accounting for most of our time, and Saturday being a day for running errands, some feel that the one day of the week left to really enjoy some of the spring benefits is Sunday.

Yet are we spiritually running amok? Are we “Christians gone wild,” disregarding the parental guidance of our Heavenly Father?

There is no “time off” from serving the Lord—Psalm 100:2 reminds us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” And for those who are faithful in their service, it’s okay to take a break once in a while—just as Jesus did during his ministry to rest the body and refresh the mind. But let’s not wildly abandon and disregard our Heavenly Father. A spring break doesn’t mean breaking away from His presence.

Enjoy time off from the daily routine—but don’t forget your Daily Bread!

Without a Doubt

We can all be a little skeptical at times. We don’t always trust the news media. We may have our doubts about the government. And who really believes the weatherman anymore? But there are some things that we have to know that we know that we know—without a doubt.

Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. As Christians, our faith is based on the fact that He—the Son of God—died on the cross and rose from the dead. His sacrifice freed us of our sin debt. But from the beginning, there were those who desired to cast doubt on this belief. Matthew 28:11-15 tells us that when the chief priests received word that Jesus was risen, they bribed the guards who were watching His tomb to spread the rumor that Jesus’ body was stolen by His disciples.

One would think that at least Jesus’ disciples, who walked with Him throughout His ministry, would immediately believe and trust that He had risen. After Jesus appeared to some of the disciples after His resurrection, there was one who expressed doubt. Thomas, who had not been with the group when Jesus first appeared, declared that he would only believe when he was able to touch the holes in the Lord’s hands and His side. John 20:27 tells us that Thomas received the opportunity to do just that.

As for the rest of us, Jesus said, “…Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” While we may never see the physical evidence of His resurrection, we can still stand strong in our belief. As Christians, we see and feel His presence every day. We know—without a doubt—that He lives.

Happy Easter!

Red Carpet Treatment

Today, celebrities are accustomed to having fans and assistants fawn over them wherever they go. Actors, actresses, rock stars, and even reality-TV stars just expect the adoration of the masses. And many people oblige them by giving them the accolades, cheers, and glows of approval, even when undeserved. But today marks a day when the people got it right, giving the praise and the honor to the One who deserved it most.

The phrase, “roll out the red carpet” means to lavish special attention on an important person, going so far as to lay out a special covering over the path they would walk. On the first Palm Sunday, back in Jerusalem, the people rolled out the red carpet for Jesus Christ as he triumphantly entered the city. They laid palm fronds on the ground before Him as He rode in on a donkey. And they shouted “Hosanna!” (John 12:13)

But as many of today’s celebrities will tell you, the red carpet treatment doesn’t last here on earth. Soon, the people who shouted “Hosanna!” were the ones to later cry, “Crucify Him!” Jesus—whom the people adored and welcomed in with open arms—soon became subjected to scorn and hatred. He died the death of a criminal.

For today’s celebrities, that would mean the end of the story. But Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, proved victorious even over death. He paid our sin-debt with the sacrifice of His own life, and rose from the dead so that we could have the promise of everlasting life with Him. All we have to do is accept Him.

Jesus, who came to serve, not to be served, has a red carpet rolled out for you. When you accept Him into your life—acknowledging the price that was paid for you those many years ago—you are guaranteed a place with Him eternally. And each day, He will walk with you, lavishing on you the special attention you deserve. Wherever you go and whatever you do, he will never leave you or forsake you—He’ll be your #1 fan.