Hate Busting

Happy Son-Day

A Scorching Hot Day better than anything in Mid-January

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Hate Busting

Today's Star Tribune headline: "Devout Christian, Alleged Assassin".  The title refers to the man who murdered a couple last weekend and shot another couple. One of the persons killed, Melissa Hortman, was a Minnesota state representative. 

I knew the Hortman's quite well. I coached their son.  He played a few years for me.

The murder obviously has mental health issues.  There is absolutely justifiable reason for his actions.

Sadly, he proclaims he is a Christian.  My guess is that at some point he will declare he was doing the work of God.  He will state he was eradicating sin of man.

I will note here a common phrase I hear time to time, "More people have been killed for the sake of Christianity than any other religion", or "Christians are the most hateful people on the planet".  The first phrase I cannot confirm because in America we only study the history of small segment of the world's population.  As for the second phrase I totally can appreciate the sentiment.

I am not going to be apologetic or defensive of being a Christian (i.e., a person who professes and adheres to the teachings of Christ).   A real follower of Christ like Christ Himself, does not need defending.

Christ was not a hater, promoter of hate, killer, subjugator, warmonger, or vengeful.

People who are hateful, misguided, uneducated will use Christ's name as a disguise to cloak their hurtful intentions.  Christ warns us of people like this in . . . 

Matthew 7:15, 

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.

 

Acts 20:29   

 I know that after I leave, wild wolves will come in among you. They won’t spare any of the sheep.

Remember Christ did not come into the world to do a hurtful work.  He is forever bringing us life, abundant life.  Any other than a life promoter is a deceiver, a thief, a wolf in disguise, a promoter of hate (i.e., the opposite of Christ).

John 10:9-10

9 I’m like a gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out. And they will find plenty of food. 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.

I cannot tell you how we rid ourselves of the ravenous wolves.  They will always be among us.  I can tell you what our response must be in this passage from Christ.

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

Serpents are often seen as cunning and strategic. Doves symbolize peace and purity. By telling us to embody these traits, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being both wise (recognize hate and know the Word of God) and be gentle as we spread the message of true Christianity.  

Hating the haters just perpetuates more hate.  Don't let haters vex you.  Remember you have the peace as your internal resident.  Instead, take refuge in God's peace and foster it wherever you can.  

Isaiah 26:3 Lord, you will give perfect peace to those who commit themselves to be faithful to you.  That’s because they trust in you.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are those who make peace.  They will be called children of God.

Peace be to you.

Song of the Week - 

Hallelujah! Sing a New Song to GOD. Sing HIS praise in the assembly of godly people. Psalm 149:1.

"It Ain't Over", 2025, Jor'dan Armstrong, DKG KIE, Adrion Butler & Mike Teezy (featuring Miles Minnick).

A fun song with a little up tempo kick.  Lyrics in Video.