May 8, 2026

Christians are taught to love others as they love themselves. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Luke 10:227

Love is a choice. When we love without judgment, we are able to love the truly unlovable. When we see frightening or wicked behavior, behavior we know is ungodly, we have to be intentional in our love. We are not required to love the sin but instead, to love the sinner. We should pray for them and ask God to help us see them through His eyes. He loves them.

We cannot please God by joining today’s culture of blaming, shaming and controlling other’s decisions and lives. The concept of feeling unsafe because of the beliefs in someone else’s head is extremely controlling. Our freedom is legendary in America. We do not force our spiritual beliefs on others. Conversely, we do not expect others to force non-religeous views on us. I believe in a literal hell. Because of that, I have been teased and laughed at many times. That doesn’t bother me.

People’s beliefs are the result of their life experiences. The things they have seen, felt, heard or touched. It is an invasion to tell people their conclusions are not valid. The Bible can free people from erroneous beliefs and it can free them from fears. Trust God. He’s got our backs. Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will never hurt us.

God, Help me love others with the kind of pure love You exude. If You have not given up on someone, I have no right to pass judgment You do not share. It is difficult to watch the world embrace behaviors and cultural changes that go against so many traditional beliefs. Help us listen to others and remember we are told to love them.

“I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. Matthew 12:36