The Just Love Them Mantra

The "Just love them" mantra is used far too often to ignore sin, avoid speaking about repentance and become friends with those who hate God. It is not love, it is based on personal feelings of happiness to elevate self. Those who use this mantra are more concerned about people liking "them" than they are about helping someone grow in holiness.

Perhaps we ought to do a study on God's kind of love, which includes all these things;

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

Luke 6:35 "35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Romans 12:9 "9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

If we hate evil we will be warning people all the time to seek Christ and turn from their sin. Love for God is first and then love for our fellow man. The love of God must include correction, rebuke, admonishment, encouragement to obey God.

Praise is not love, acceptance of sin is not love.

Praising people will only serve to make them love themselves, the only places in the Bible I see about "praise" are about praising God, not man.

Encouragement does not include flattery or praise, it is the ability to spur someone on to greater holiness through the washing of the Word.

1 John 4:8
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Proverbs 10:12
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."

Romans 12:9
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."

If we love God's way, we will warn people, correct and encourage in righteousness. Making people feel good is not the objective, helping them see their need for Christ is the only thing that is helpful.