Do Not Make People The “Other”
This is a dangerous trend in our society, and sadly we as Christians have been quite complicit. We label people as those other people. “Those liberal idiots.” “Those conservative crazies.” “Those conspiracy theorist freaks.” We have seen some unbelievable statements from Christians about people they disagree with.
We are dehumanizing people made in the image of God.
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:9-11)
When we give ourselves permission to make someone the “other,” we give ourselves permission to no longer love them or treat them as a child of God.
This does not mean we can’t deeply disagree with them. But we have been given the indwelling Holy Spirit—God Himself, living within us! On our own, we can’t love our enemies, we have a hard enough time loving ourselves.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28) No easy feat, but by His grace we can!
