Love has various definitions in different parts of the world, with diverse cultural connotations. Irrespective of race, class or creed, it affects every spectrum of life and highlights the best attributes of the human race. It is pertinent to argue that love is not a feeling but deep commitment produced by a deliberate act of will or choice. To love or hate is a product of choice, devoid of accidents or chance. You may not be responsible for what you feel but you have the power to reject or entertain it.
The nature and personality of God is love;
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
You can’t call yourself a Believer and be a catalyst of hate, strife and division. The best definition of love is the one found in the Book of 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses four to ten. Believers are identified by their Fruits, not gifts (Matthew 7:20 & John 13:35). Sadly, many followers of Jesus Christ have rejected the teachings of the Messiah in words, thoughts and actions. How can we explain the recent divisive, hateful and racist-oriented 2016 US Presidential election? Many Christians and church leaders who ought to have brought healing and hope to the divided nation, took sides and demonized their “opposed” presidential candidates, while singing the praises of their “anointed” ones. One was even called a “witch” and the offspring of Satan while the other one was called a sex predator. This behavior does not reflect the love of God.
Love covers a multitude of sins (Proverbs 10:12). We can disagree with people without judging them. Sons of God are peacemakers, not rumor mongers, slanderers and vindictive people. If we begin to behave like the secular forces and politicians, it simply means that we’ve abandoned our divine mandate as kings and priests and ambassadors of God. We can hate sin without disliking the sinner. Believers have a sacred mandate to rescue a dying world. If our desire is to loath, punish and hurt those who do not talk, look or pray like us, then we are not different from ISIS, The Taliban and other radical Muslim terror groups.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a celebrated American civil rights activist and hero once said: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” His dream of a better America where equality, peace and justice reigns supreme, defeated the provocative policies of injustice and the blood-thirsty rants of racism. How did he achieve freedom? He unleashed the potent forces of love to defeat and expose the foolishness of hate, social segregation, oppression and racism. Love never fails!