Love thy Neighbor

As a Christian, the Scriptures make it abundantly clear that any form of hatred or animosity towards other religions, denominations, or religious viewpoints is antithetical to the teachings of Christ and the mission of the church. This understanding is grounded in the core theological principles that shape our faith.

The foundational command given by Jesus is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:36-40). This call to love encompasses people of all faiths and backgrounds, not just those who share our own religious convictions. The Bible affirms that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that God desires for all to come to know Him (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).

At the heart of this command to love is the recognition of God's sovereignty in salvation. It is ultimately the Holy Spirit who convicts and transforms hearts, not our own efforts or persuasion (John 16:8-11). This truth should foster a deep humility in our approach to evangelism, leading us to rely on fervent prayer and trust in God's timing and work in the lives of those we seek to reach.

While the Bible teaches the exclusivity of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), this does not justify hatred or hostility towards those who hold different religious beliefs. Rather, it should motivate us to engage in evangelism out of a genuine concern for the eternal destiny of others, recognizing the seriousness of sin and the universal need for redemption. The doctrine of human depravity underscores the gravity of the human condition and the urgency of proclaiming the gospel (Ephesians 2:1-3).

At the same time, we must approach evangelism with confidence in the transformative power of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:17). By highlighting the life-changing message we have received, we can engage those of other faiths with a spirit of compassion and humility, rather than resorting to fear or animosity.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus himself modeling compassion and grace towards those of different religious backgrounds. He engaged the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) with kindness and an openness to share the truth of the gospel. The apostle Paul also emphasized the importance of respecting differences and maintaining unity within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Furthermore, the book of Romans provides clear biblical guidance that forbids hatred or animosity towards those with differing religious views. In Romans 14, Paul instructs believers to "accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). He cautions against passing judgment on those who hold different convictions, reminding us that "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God" (Romans 14:12).

Importantly, Paul emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not a matter of "eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). He instructs believers to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). This teaching clearly prohibits hatred, animosity, or divisiveness towards those with differing religious views.

As Christians, we must heed the clear biblical mandate to love our neighbors, regardless of their faith or religious background. We cannot effectively evangelize or share the gospel message through hatred, judgment, or hostility. Rather, we are called to approach others with compassion, humility, and a genuine desire to understand and connect with them.

Ultimately, the Scriptures call us to be ambassadors of Christ's love, not purveyors of religious animosity. By modeling the grace, mercy, and reconciliation that we have received in Christ, we can bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel and draw all people closer to the heart of God.