Where Hate Lives

Dear Evangelicals:

Today, we're accustomed to thinking of hate as an emotion exclusive to the fringes. Hate isn't in us; it's in white nationalists, ISIS, and all those liberals who, uh, scorn biblical teachings by shunning those who think being queer is a sin.

You know how I feel about that last item, so let's talk about the notion that hate is not a first-world problem, that it's not a Christian problem. Truth is, hate runs rampant throughout the Christian community -- left, right, and center.

Even the social justice warriors on the left, the millennials who swore they wouldn't become their parents, fall victim to hate. And why?

Because they worship Americhrist above all else.

Just like their parents, these left-leaning Americhristians chase fame, recognition, and status to the exclusion of all else. Just like their parents, they talk a good game, but are rarely -- if ever -- found in the trenches (Children can't change their religious affiliations? Thoughts and prayers 💗🎈🌈.) And, just like their parents, the new wave of Americhristians will cut you dead if you don't beat the drum for their latest project.

Whether you like it or not, that's hate.

About Jesus, John said, "He must increase while I must decrease." About us, Jesus said, "“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:23-27, MSG),

If you withhold liberating, biblical truth from others because telling it would require you to decrease; if you are the focus of all your efforts, you're more about hate than love.

Sooner or later, Somebody's gonna notice.