Love vs. Hate

Love and hate are powerful forces that can move mountains. People say and do crazy things when they hate, but people also can do some amazing things when they love. Yes, I do feel that there are times "hate," even though my mom taught me to not say that word, is a motivator to get us moving to say, rescue child-sex-trafficing victims. But only when it is a motivator for good, not evil.

I am only 42, but I am starting to see that these are the two primary forces in the world today, HATE - which is bent on destruction, violence, pain, evil, division, and all things bad, and LOVE - which is bent on bridge-building, a peace, healing, unity and all things GOOD!

I am reminded that Jesus said in Matthew 5:45-46 that we should "... Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

So, to put it plainly, people who -- for example, hate President Obama and bash him through their blogs, News Stations, and Radio Stations are doing wrong I believe, according to Jesus anyway. Now, I am okay with attacking policy, and different views, cause we all have them, etc. etc. But when it's a bash fest on the person, I just don't see any way to justify that behavior. I think it would fall under the heading of slander. Shoot, I am only a little blogger myself, what do you say? Am I off base here? Am I missing something? I mean would Jesus behave this way?

I guess I am just keenly aware of all the vile negativity in the world today and it's just sickening to see people attacking other people when I am thinking the best thing we can do for our enemies and those who may disagree with us is to PRAY for them. I mean earnestly pray for them. Are you a slanderer or a pray-er? Lord help us all, I want to be a person of prayer!  

1 Timothy 2:1-3 "First of all, I ask you to pray much for all men and to give thanks for them. Pray for kings and all others who are in power over us so we might live quiet God-like lives in peace. It is good when you pray like this. It pleases God Who is the One Who saves."