Back in July, a good friend and fellow pastor Dan DeWitt put up this quote from Dr. Mark Sandlin, and as our 2024 election approaches, it gives a fine reminder of the prime directive of all who follow Jesus. We often describe those on the opposite side of the fence as our enemy, and this comes from both sides. Dr. Mark Sandlin’s conclusion makes the issue pretty simple: people are either our neighbors or our enemies, but both are to be loved. Loving a person doesn’t mean we always agree with them. Loving really doesn’t involve our emotions, if we like them or not. It involves action. How we treat them. Let’s take a quick look at how God tells us to love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Actions. Every one of them.
Love is patient, or long-suffering. Do we allow their differences to end the relationship?
Love is kind. Does kindness flow when we interact or think about them?
Love is not proud. Do we look down on others for not being intelligent enough to choose our positions?
Love is not rude. How do we do in our language describing them? Is it positive and apt to bless them?
Love doesn’t seek its own way. Do we risk loving relationships by seeking to come out ahead politically?
Love is not easily angered. Do we quickly flare up when they say something stupid?
Love doesn’t remember wrongs. Do we keep a record and repeat it to them, or keep it in our minds?
Love doesn’t delight in evil. Do we rejoice when things go bad for the “opposition?”
Love rejoices with the truth. Do we acknowledge that others may have some truth in their positions?
Love always protects. Do we set the record straight when our side makes false claims about the other side?
Love always trusts. Do we give them the benefit of the doubt on their motives, or instantly assume the worst?
Love always hopes. Do we pray they will grow closer to Jesus, or get chastised?
Love perseveres. Do we hang in with them despite their positions?
Love never fails. Do we consider some to be hopeless and bail out?
May we, regardless of the outcome of the election, treat and view all people in love.
Kick Starting the Application
In looking at each trait of love, how did you do on a scale of one to ten? Which was your best? Your worst? How can you begin today acting more in love to your neighbors and enemies. Will you?