Love is not extra credit work for the child of God. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “a new commandment I give to 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.” On another occasion John recorded in 1 John 4:20, “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
That doesn’t give us much wiggle room does it. How we treat others reveals if we really love God or not. The foundation of love has to be the starting place of how we interact with others. With our friends, with our families, with strangers and with our loved ones. Including all those who disagree with our biblical beliefs. Even those who are struggling with gender dysphoria or have embraced a transgender lifestyle.
To do this, we must view people as God views them. While some have done all they can to scar their image, we can never forget that they were created in God’s image. No amount of sin removes the fact that they were created in God’s image. The playing field is level when it comes to how God views his creation. They are exactly the same in God’s eyes.
To see the value of a transgender person, means you must stop any behavior that demeans them. Or even go the extra mile and stand up for them when they are being made fun of. Have you tried to listen to their burdens without being judgmental? Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you fulfill the law of Christ.” In order to carry someone’s burdens you must love them as God loves them.
So, what do we do with 1 Corinthians 13:6 that says, “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” Well, first we must understand that loving someone and not telling them the truth is not what the bible teaches. But again, when you tell someone the truth you must do it in love. You must know them. You must convince them that you really care about them. You must treat them with respect. Not because you agree with their sin, but because they were created in the image of God. We help no one when we deny God’s word. Sometimes we do this because we want to fit in. Or we don’t want to face the strife we know it will cause. Or we don’t want to appear as a religious zealot.
Communicating truth and love requires relationships. You must invest time and energy into someone if you ever hope to help them. I can only speak for myself. I know my first approach to transgenderism was to shout it down. To prove it unbiblical at all costs. No matter who it hurt. If I’m honest, I spent little time trying to assure them that I loved them. And that God loved them. For that I repent. I pray God will give me the ability to love everyone more patiently. Let us not forget that love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. (1 Corinthians 13:4).
God saves the most unlikely of people. Of which I am one. Why should I not give them a chance? Lord, please forgive me for being so short. So quick to judge. Help me learn to speak the truth in love. Help me to love like your love. Help me to trust more in you and your ability to change lives.
