Some would say I harbor hatred in my heart. There are those who seem to believe that if I disagree with them, that I must hate them. Allow me to share a few examples.

I am against abortion. I believe in the sanctity of human life. I accept the clear Biblical teaching that life is a gift of God, and that He is the only one who has the right to determine life or death of the unborn baby in the womb of his/her mother. I realize there are those who would adamantly disagree with me as to exactly when life begins, but it is a scientifically proven fact that at the moment of conception – that moment when sperm meets egg – the DNA makeup of that baby is determined. Hair color, skin pigment, eye color, basic body build, are all determined at the precise moment of conception. Is there a heart beat? Are there functioning lungs and kidneys? Are the extremities instantly formed? No. But the DNA that will determine all of those things is present at that precise moment.

There are examples of individuals in the Bible’s record that make it clear God had ordained what those individuals would be in their adult life, before they were ever conceived in the mother’s womb. David attests to the fact that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” in the womb of his mother. Jeremiah was set apart to be a prophet before he was conceived. Paul testifies to the fact that he was set apart to be an apostle to the Gentiles from his mother’s womb. Were these exceptions to the rule? Were they somehow different than other human embryos before their birth? I surmise that the answer to that is no. I would suggest that God oversees the conception, pre-natal care, and eventual birth of each and every human baby.

The Bible also makes it clear that human beings are created in the image of God. Therefore, there is something special about human life when compared to all other forms of life. Humans bear various communicable attributes of God that other forms of life do not enjoy. We are a very special creation of  God. To take a human life, whether pre-birth life, partial-birth life, or full-birth life, is an abomination in the eyes of God.

Now, do I hate those who are willing subjects (abortionists) or objects (those who have abortions performed on their unborn child) of abortion? I guess some would surmise that since I hate the act, I also hate the actors. Can I not hate what is done without hating the one who does it?

Another example would be on the subject of homosexuality. There are those who would classify me a hater of all who practice anything other than a heterosexual lifestyle. But that isn’t all – they would also accuse me of hating anyone who engages in any sexual practices other than the one which is advocated in Scripture. The Bible’s clear teaching is that God created us as sexual beings, and the only proper way to engage in sexual activity is in the relationship between a man and woman who have been united in marriage. Therefore, any sexual activity other than that prescribed by God is immoral and sinful. This would include pre-marital sex, incest, sex with animals, extra-marital affairs, homosexual relationships, trans-sexual practices, trans-gender behaviors, and any other sexual activity that does not fit the Biblical model. Now, again, does the fact that I hate those practices mean that I hate the persons who engage in those practices? No. It just means that I completely disagree with you and your choices, while maintaining a love for you because I am taught in Scripture that I am to love everyone.

In closing, let’s look at the greatest example we have, Jesus Christ. Now admittedly, I cannot speak of how Jesus felt, or what He thought, but I can speak on what Jesus did. It is recorded for us in Scripture. Did Jesus have hatred in His heart when He confronted persons about their sinful behavior? Of course not. But He did love them enough to tell them the truth. And then what? Did He try to force people to agree with Him? Did He use unethical methods of manipulation to coerce them to accept His point of view? No – He left it up to the individual to make the choice. And what was the choice? To either accept the truth He was sharing, or to continue to persist in their sinful lifestyle. The choice was theirs.

Now I know, there are those who are already thinking I have painted myself into a corner from which I cannot escape. There are those who would say, “That may all be true. But Jesus never spoke to the issue of abortion or homosexuality. So everything you have said is meaningless mumbo-jumbo. How dare you put words in Jesus’s mouth!”

I am not attempting to put words in His mouth. My contention is simply that when the Bible teaches clear, unmistakable principles on subjects such as human sexuality and the sanctity of human life, even though Jesus did not speak directly to these subjects, we can rest assured that He accepted the teachings of the written word of God. Therefore, for those of us who are adamantly opposed to those things that are clearly opposed by God Himself, let’s also love like God Himself. Speak the truth, but do so in love and grace. And when those who disagree with our biblical convictions, respect them enough to walk away and allow them to suffer the consequences of their own choices.