One of the more common phrases bantered about over the past decade is: “Love is love.” The idea behind the saying is that we should not be critical of whom other people choose to love – Namely, the phrase is employed to defend homosexual relationships and unions. It is amazing to observe how quickly our country has transitioned in its thinking and acceptance on this issue. But on the flipside of phrases utilizing the word “love,” are similar phrases using the word “hate.” Christians are told that if they do not agree or accept homosexuality that it is akin to hating the individual people who practice it. According to the world’s current standard, “to love” means: You must accept another’s beliefs as normal, never speak out against them, and even celebrate their beliefs alongside them. But these are the exact opposite things that our Bible teaches.
First, the Bible is very clear that we should not “accept” immoral practices or beliefs. Eph. 5:3 says – “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints.” And 1Cor. 6:9-10 unambiguously states – “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” How can it be “love,” for us to “accept” these things when God has so clearly rejected them?
Furthermore, it is not “love” to “never speak against” such practices. To be silent about the eternal consequences for unrepentant sin is in fact the most unloving thing we can do. Eph. 4:15 says that by – “Speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” Love and truth must go together if we are to be benefitted by either. To truly care for someone we must lovingly share the truth with them – And not pretend with them that the truth is relative or unimportant. If the truth condemns someone, it is not you who condemn them (or hate them), it is the truth itself that does so. And praise God if they feel that condemnation, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Pr. 9:10), and it is the prerequisite to repentance and saving faith.
Finally, it is not “love” to celebrate others’ immorality. Jesus said in Jn. 7:7 – “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” Contrary to the popular opinion – Jesus was not accepting of everything and everyone. Surely, he welcomed all who would come to Him in repentance or to seek the truth – But He also openly rebuked others and always called sin: sin. Jesus did not celebrate immorality, but He was rather crucified to pay the debt for His people’s immoralities. Woe to us if we belittle His sacrifice by redefining the wicked things He died for as things that are “normal” or good things to be enjoyed.
So-called “churches” and heretical “ministers” try to spin the issues in a number of ways, but the truth of the Scriptures is plain and obvious for all to see. God has not changed His definition of morality, and homosexuality (and all forms of sexual immorality) is still an abomination to Him. God is the one who gets to define what true love is, for – “God is love” (1Jn. 4:8, 16). And Rom. 5:8 says – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Clearly, God has His own definition of what true love is – So then, all so-called “love” in the world is not the same. Thus, the popular saying: “love is love” is proven to be false and misleading. Speaking against such sentiments is not inherently hateful, but keeping silent about God’s true hatred of sin is not loving at all. Don’t allow the world to define what love is, and don’t believe them if they tell you that you are hateful either. As always, allow the Word of God to define all things and then go and be a witness for them, exemplifying both grace and truth.
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