The Way Matt Sees It

“I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear.”   –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More people are rejoicing the death of Fred Phelps then there are people mourning it.   He was a man full of hatred who was intentional about letting people know.   Not only that, but he seemingly believed that God shared his sentiment. Was Fred Phelps wrong in what he taught?   Was there any truth in what he preached?   And how should we respond? THE GOD WHO HATES How can God hate anything?   Doesn’t God love everyone?   How could Fred Phelps and his church be so adamant about something that isn’t even in the Bible?  Well in a way, they are right by saying that God hates. God hates sin. God also loves people. What I believe Fred Phelps failed to do, and what American culture in general is unable to do, is separate sin from people .   Although it is true that God hates sin , sin is not the person. ...

FOLLOW-WEAR You know what people follow based on what they wear.   For example, who do these people follow? Broncos Fanatic Buddhist Monk That’s right, the guy on the top follows the Broncos, and the person on the bottom follows the teachings of Buddha.   We can tell by what they are wearing.   So what should Jesus followers wear?   They seem to be all over the spectrum. John 3:16! Rather heartbreaking. For some reason, I don’t think that’s what Jesus wanted His followers to wear.   People aren’t eager to start following Jesus because of those things (although I do like that guy in the John 3:16 picture, he looks pretty happy). WHAT TO WEAR? In John 13:34-35 Jesus says: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Now maybe you’ve heard this before. ...