Love

The gospel of John quotes Jesus; "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The news this week is full of reports from a "Christian" militia that planned to arouse a revolt against the government of our country. Christian militia is an oxymoron. Jesus commands us to love one another. He makes it clear throughout his ministry that love characterizes our interaction with everyone, even our enemies and those who hate us for being Christian. Even when Paul uses the imagery of weapons of war to describe our Christian life, he is careful to explain what they actually are. The sword is not a sword, but the Word of God.

Extremist in virtually all religions incite followers to form militias and hate groups to defend themselves against the evils of other religions. True Christianity never incites us to terrorism or hate. Jesus always calls us to love others.