A+B doesn't always equal C



Hmm...I hate cats...cats walked on this ground...therefore I must hate this ground.

Snoopy's philosophy seems to make logical sense. It is kind of like an algebraic equation:

A=Cats

B=Ground

C=My feelings

A+B=C

But does it really? Or better yet, is this what God asks us to do?

When someone or something has hurt us are we supposed to automatically despise every one and everything associated with that person? If someone "does us wrong" do we cut that person off and assume that they are unworthy of our love or the grace of God?

A+B doesn't always equal C.

Just because someone has hurt you or because you do not see eye to eye with someone doesn't give you the authority to hate that person or the people that person is connected to. We can despise the actions - bullying, lying, terrorizing, mean-girl-ing, but we cannot despise the person - regardless of how that person has harmed you.

You do not have to associate with that person or even like him or her, but God requires you to show that person love and kindness. And not just the person who hurt you but everyone in that person's circle.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven... If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? ...Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

Loving your enemy is a tall order. It requires perfection - and we certainly are not perfect - but we can move toward perfection by putting God's love first regardless of the situation. We can begin to see people as individuals, separate from their actions and from their associates. We can choose to not allow the A's of the world to overshadow the B's. When we start to love those who our hearts want to hate, then we will find that our C is equalling God's love.

Scripture

Ephesians 4:1-3

Quote of the Day

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Question of the Day

Who can you show God's love to who has been unkind to you?