The Religion of Love, Not Hatred

How did Jesus distinguish his true followers?  His answer brings us a vital fifth identifying mark of true worship.  Jesus said:  "I am give you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."  (John 13:34, 35) How did Jesus show his love? By giving his life as a ransom sacrifice.  (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16) Why is genuine love an essential quality for true Christians?  John explained:  "Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God  . . .He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." -1 John 4:7, 8, 

Who in our times have displayed this kind of love, even in the face of racial, national, or ethnic hatred?  Who have passed the supreme test, even unto death, so that their love should prevail?  Can we say that it is the Catholic  priests and nuns who admittedly share some responsibility for the genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994?  Is it the Orthodox of Serbia or the Catholics of Croatia who have engaged in "ethnic cleansing" and other unchristian acts in that civil war in the Balkans?  Or is it the Catholic or Protestant clergy who have fanned the flames of prejudice and hatred in Northern Ireland over the last few decades?  Certainly Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be accused of having participated in any such conflicts.  They have suffered in prisons and concentration camps, even to the death, rather than betray their Christian love. -John 15:17.

A sixth requisite for worship acceptable to God is that of neutrality regarding the political affairs of this world.  Why should Christians remain neutral in politics?  Paul, James and John give us solid reason for that stance.  The apostle Paul wrote that Satan is "the god of this system of things," who is blinding the minds of the unbelievers by every means possible, including divisive politics.  The disciple James stated that "friendship with the world is enmity with God," and the apostle John said that 'the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one."  A true Christian, therefore, cannot compromise his devotion to God by being involved in Satan's corrupt world of politics and power. -2 Corinthians 4:4; James 4:4;  1 John 5:19.

In view of the preceding two requirements, a seventh becomes obvious, namely, that true Christian worshipers should not take part in wars.  Since the true religion is a worldwide brotherhood based on love, then nothing can divide or subvert that "entire association of  . . . brothers in the world."  Jesus taught love, not hatred; peace,not war.  (1 Peter 5:9; Matthew 26:51) The same "wicked one," Satan, who induced Cain to murder Abel continues to sow hatred among mankind and to provoke conflicts and bloodshed on the basis of political, religious, and ethnic divisions.  True Christians 'learn war no more,' regardless of the price to be paid.  Figuratively, they have already  'beaten their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.'  They produce the peaceful fruitage of God's spirit. -1 John 3:10-12; Isaiah 2:2-4; Galatians 5:22, 23.

Next time: God Blesses Purity of Conduct and Teachings

The Watchtower, 1996