We must be careful not to let our strong opinions guide our weaknesses into sinning against God by judging others before the time. Some have strong opinions about politics, strong opinions about religion, strong opinions about theology, strong opinions about the economy, strong opinions about social issues or lifestyles that are different than their own. It is a sin in God’s eyes when our views of others have even a hint of condescension or bitterness. If you think you’re doing well because you don’t t drink, smoke, cuss, or fornicate, and yet look upon a man or women with disdain, you had better come to your senses! Those who do such things may be esteemed higher in the Kingdom of God than you if they should ever repent and turn to God for mercy and forgiveness (Matthew 21:31). God’s love blankets all people who humbly recognize they need Him and who set aside all opinions for the sake of following the Truth. An opinion, after all, is a view or judgment formed about something (or someone), not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. One person may think they’re right and another adamantly believe they’re right. Jesus is the greatest example of being right in all His judgments of humanity and yet temporarily halting condemnation for the sake of redemption first. He used His own life for the sake of loving others who are perishing, even when it meant staying quiet like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)?
Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV) – …For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
The Greek word for hostility in this bible passage is antilogia. The term connotes the sense of being hostile in words. Hostility in words can change quickly to hostility in actions. It did when the people delivered the sinless Son of God to the Cross. We see all manner of opinions about Jesus Christ expressed in the Bible by different groups of people who all thought they were right. Some groups of people wanted to make Jesus a King for their political convictions (John 6:15). Some wanted to see a miracle or healing of their ailments (Luke 23:8). Some wanted forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50). Some wanted Him dead (John 11:53). In the end, Jesus Christ paid the price for them all. It was the hateful opinions of people (ordinary and extraordinary) that put Christ on the Cross. What would you as an avid liberal think if Jesus were to eat with staunch conservatives (or vice versa)? What opinions would you form of Him if He dined and consorted with all manner of those types of people you consider scum? He did just that! Jesus never compromised or watered down the truth about sin in the presence of sinners. He would tell them great stories relating to life and death, sin and redemption, fruitfulness and fruitlessness, hunger and being filled. Stories like the prodigal son who left his father’s house to live a riotous lifestyle. A redemption story about a rebellious son who came to his senses and desperately walked with shame and humility towards what he thought would be more shame and humility but instead met with his Father’s embrace of love and mercy; …For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found (Luke 15:24 NKJV) .’
Jesus has no political sensitivity or social side-stepping when confronting sin and death and offering real Life in Himself. The thing we must grasp for now is that God allows bad things to happen and bad people to exist for the sake of testing our faithfulness to love others the way He does. It’s not a weak concept at all to love your enemies. It’s what sets us apart from the world. We are the peacemakers who when rooted and grounded in God’s love will reflect the real purpose of the Cross of Christ — redemption from every kind of sin.
