Have We No Love?

This past week, the world focused on the missing tourists who were diving down to see the Titanic ruins. As it became clear they did not survive the trip due to a tragic accident, humanity’s ugliness was on full display in comments sections across the Internet. People who never met the victims judged and mocked them, some saying they deserved to die. Why? Because they were rich?

These people were loved by someone. They were husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. Yet, instead of mourning with the families, or at least showing respect towards them, complete strangers deemed the victims guilty of some supposed crime against humanity and praised their deaths. Many of the posts seemed to be based on envy. Others, self-righteousness. It’s all hateful pride.

Sadly, this not only says more about the original posters, but also society in general. I can’t be the only one who’s noticed the decline in politeness, with rudeness and cruelty fighting to take its place. People clamor for love and kindness, but when something like this happens, they joyfully partake in rejoicing in someone’s downfall, or even death. How is that loving? Even if you are opposed to the person’s lifestyle or beliefs, you can still show respect towards them as a human being with a soul, made in the image of God.

Social media has enabled and emboldened people to anonymously post their heartless thoughts out there for the world to see. The only consequence that may be suffered is someone else fighting back against them with their heartless thought or a suspended account. In most cases, they never have to face, in person, the target of their hate. As easy as it would be to blame social media for all of this though, it’s an age-old problem. It’s really about sin. We all have sinful hearts that are too quickly willing to hate others or take pride in ourselves for being “right.”

As Christ-followers though, we are commanded to love others, whether they are our friend or enemy. Jesus says in Luke 6:27, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Of course, Jesus modeled this for us as “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8, ESV). He showed love to His enemies (that would be us) through His death on the cross.

Love is also a fruit of the Spirit. Paul writes in Galatians 5, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do…Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires,” (Galatians 5:16-24, ESV, italicized for emphasis). We must live by the Spirit, not our flesh.

As Christ-followers, let’s remember to shine His love in this dark, cruel world. Many people are hurting and lost, looking for comfort and compassion. Let us be the ones who give true comfort and compassion by encouraging and respecting others through our words and deeds. Let’s love others as Christ loved us while we were His enemies. That’s the true love and kindness others need.

_{Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay}