Justify – Day 24

Having studied church history and the Bible, I find it’s something that has occurred for a really long time. People have justified their actions using scripture.  “Christians” have felt good about their position based on their interpretation of scripture – of course, making sure the best scriptures for their position are selected. Hatred, slavery, hurt, fear, disgust, murder, gossip, and many other reactions have happened in the name of God.  And it’s always interesting how the scripture always defends how someone feels when they don’t like what someone else is doing or saying.  

Of course, this continues. The difference is now there is a platform for people to make sure they can get as much support as possible rallied for their position.  We all do it.  We look for people who think like us, believe like us and behave like us.  We seek our group.  And everyone outside the group is wrong (or at least not right like us).  

Here’s just one of the problems with all of this – using scripture to justify hatred or meanness or contempt. This isn’t the purpose or intent of God’s Word.  It isn’t how we are instructed to live.  It isn’t how Jesus lived or God created.  This is created by people.  And it’s not only harmful, but destructive.  

Jesus taught us to love our enemies.  We often think of enemies as those outside the faith.  I find some of the most harmful enemies call themselves Christians.  They disguise their hatred under the cover of the scripture.  

Maybe we consider flipping the script.  Maybe we justify our love rather than our hate with the Word of God.  I get a lot of things wrong, but maybe I’m found to be “too” loving of other people.  I’m okay with that. I will try to seek ways to love and include rather than exclude and shove away.  If I am accused of anything, my prayer is that I am accused of being too loving and too welcoming.  Maybe one of those people I loved and welcomed was Jesus (Matthew 25).