Belief is not Hatred

As a Christian you have probably heard someone accuse you of being hateful. Many have criticized us for believing in the reality of hell, and that this belief makes us hateful.

But simply believing something to be true does not mean that we hate people. For example:

I believe smoking causes lung cancer but I don’t hate smokers.

I believe not brushing your teeth causes cavities but I don’t hate people with cavities.

I believe soft drinks are unhealthy but I don’t hate people who drink them.

Even though I don’t hate those people I still warn anyone who will listen. I give my two cents about nicotine; I make my daughter brush her teeth; I use discipline when it comes to soft drinks. But I don’t hate anyone who doesn’t share my beliefs.

In the same way, I believe people who reject Christ with their lives go to hell after they die. But believing something to be true does not equal hatred.

I warn anyone who will listen about the reality of hell because I love them, not because I hate them. How could warning someone be hateful?

If you feel the same way—if the love of Christ compels you to love your neighbor as you love yourself—then share the gospel with all who will listen. It’s the most loving thing you can do.

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Luke 24:46-47