The Church & Hatred

The following was posted on the YouthSpecialties blog as a response to youth workers seeking answers and how to communicate about the events in Charlottesville that transpired in early August 2017. Written by Mitchell Moyer.

It's important to remember that while the groups in Charlottesville, and a number of other hate groups, might claim to be Christian, they have no resemblance in the slightest to the life of Christ. Jesus came showing love and respect beyond His own native people group whose lives were never the same after they encountered Him. In the face of threats, the face of anger and in the face of hatred, let us remember that we too were once lost and no one is too far gone to experience forgiveness. That should not serve as a pass for their behavior but rather should encourage us to see them with understanding; those who have bought into the empty and dangerous ideals of the enemy. As we encounter the opposition to living as Jesus did, let's rise up and proclaim truth in love. Though difficult and at times seemingly hopeless, our example must be based on Christ and the examples of love and life change found in Scripture. Pray for those who've had to stare down hate for far too long as well as not forgetting to pray for those who do the hating. Live the change we've experienced, share the hope we have through Christ, and be the hands and feet of Christ to everyone we encounter.