In keeping with what I said in A Bit of a Change in Course, I want to start writing shorter posts, but doing it daily.

Today I want to focus on Mark 12:31. This isn’t a religious post by any means, but rather a reminder to all of us to treat people with respect and dignity; regardless who they are. In this passage, Jesus tells us the second greatest commandment of all is to love our neighbor as ourselves. I think a lot of people forget this. I also think a lot of people get this passage twisted. They think that because we love, we must therefore condone, agree with, accept, or respect their choices in life. That’s a lie. We can show love for someone, but fundamentally disagree with the choices they make. Just like they can with us. I can have love for someone, respect that individual as a human being, but disagree with them on just about everything.

Where does this love come from? It comes from the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross just as much for that other person, than He did for me. I told you this wasn’t going to be a religious post, but I did need to include that. That’s where the love come from. That’s the lens in which Christians should view everyone else around them. Isn’t that how we all, regardless of faith, should view our neighbors and people we come in contact with? Why wouldn’t we show them respect and dignity?

I also must state that not agreeing with choices someone makes, doesn’t make them a bigot, intolerant, homophobic, transphobic, or racist. It doesn’t mean they’re discriminating against anyone. They have their beliefs and after all, they don’t have to agree with you or me. But it doesn’t mean they can’t love.

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