Loving versus Approving

by Terry Wane Benton
Daily Points of Light from Heaven

One thing people have gotten confused about is the difference between love and approval. God loves sinners (Romans 5:8) but does not approve of and accept them until they repent (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30-31). God will reject many people whom He loves (Matthew 7:13-14, 21f). He chastens those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). So, chastening may feel hurtful, but love does not let a person do as they please. If we love our children, we say hard things and do things that may hurt in the moment to get a better long-term result. Love chastens and corrects.

We love adulterers, fornicators, and homosexuals. Because of love, we have to tell them the truth that they are headed for hell (I Corinthians 6:8-10). We don't say this because we hate them as human beings. They are neighbors we must love. We want them to have a chance to go to heaven, but they won't get to heaven unless they repent.

We love people we cannot approve of and accept into fellowship. The world spreads the idea that if we speak the truth about the morals that will ruin a person now and forever, then we are "hateful" and that we are spreading "hate speech." Are they being hateful toward us?

Using their own ideas of hate will backfire since they show indignation toward us. Remember, disagreeing with someone's life behaviors is not being hateful. Sometimes it is love at its most responsible.

Telling God's truth is love. Don't get confused! We can and should love all people, and we must not approve of what all people do and pretend it doesn't matter. Chastening is part of love. Telling the truth so that someone can repent and be saved is love.