Why Choose To Hate?

So God created human beings in His own image

In the image of God He created them

male and female He created them.

Genesis 1:27

Question: Given that we have been made in the image of God, why do we insist on hating someone else?  What is it about others that generates so much hatred and anger?  I have heard a number of answers (because they are crooks, because their ancestors may or may not have harmed my ancestors, because of their job, because they won't let me do whatever I want whenever I want even if it's illegal, etc.), yet the real underlying cause for pretty much all of us....because they are different from us.  That's the bottom line!  We hate because of our differences while ignoring our commonalities!

The Apostle Paul jumped right into this scrape by reminding the Galatians, "There is NO LONGER Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS!"(Galatians 3:28).  That pretty much takes the wind out of our hatred sails, doesn't it?  We are more alike than we are different!

As a matter of fact, just how alike are we?  Take a look at Isaiah 53:6 - "We ALL like sheep have gone astray; WE ALL have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him [Christ] the iniquity of US ALL."  You see, the thing we have in common is far greater than the differences in our complexion or hair color or ancestry or any other physical attribute!  Our commonality is that we are ALL equally guilty of sin!  As such, we are ALL equally going to die.  And guess what?  The grave holds saint and sinner alike until Jesus' return!

Imagine a world where we focused on such things as loving others as we love ourselves and treating others like we want to be treated.  Sound impossible?  It starts with one person....YOU! 

ONE

There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, 

because the same Lord is Lord of all, 

who gives richly to all who call on him.

Romans 10:12 

 

I don't understand something....

     *   we all have people in our lives that we care about

     *   we all have hearts that beat that keeps the blood flowing through our bodies

     *   we all have minds that we are supposed to use to think

     *   we all breathe

     *   we all get hungry and thirsty

     *   we all have needs 

     *   we all have the ability to laugh

     *   we all have the ability to love

 

So why are we so focused on the inconsequential differences and use those as a basis to become angry and divisive? 

 

I am not a fan of vanilla ice cream, but I do enjoy chocolate peanut butter.  Does that make me wrong?  Does that mean my tastes mean more than someone else?

 

I don't like salad dressing, but I like salad.  Does that make me evil or just weird?

 

I sometimes forget, not intentionally though.  Does that mean I hate the things I forget?  

 

I am not a fan of politics (office or otherwise).  Does that make me someone to be detested?

 

I like to sit quietly and think.  Does that make me a horrible person?

 

I don't believe my life is of more value or of less value than yours.  Does that make be a hater?

 

The point I'm trying to make is this, we are all unique.....from each other, yet we all are the same.  We have more similarities than differences.  So why do we focus so much on the differences? 

 

We tend to focus on what a person looks like.  I've seen myself in the mirror (which proves beyond a doubt that God has a sick sense of humor).  We look at the clothes people wear, the car they drive, the jewelry they have, their hair, their homes, and we pass judgement on them for the inconsequential!  

 

When are we going to wake up and focus on what we have in common?  Jesus did not pay the price just for one race or gender, he died paid the debt for ALL who accept Him!  When will we stop FINDING reasons to be divisive!