The opposite of love is not hate, but fear. This might strike you as odd, but I have found it to be true as the scriptures tell us that perfect love casts out all fear. Perfect love does not cast out all hate, however. The Lord, who is Himself love, also hates. This might unnerve you a bit, but it shouldn’t. He does not hate in the typical religious sectarian way that we may be accustomed to; rather, He hates in a very loving way. Actually, it is His perfect love that leads to His legitimate hate. We must not reverse this, however. It is love that leads us to hate, but hate will never lead us to love. This post could be easily misunderstood, so let me encourage you to stay with me for a few minutes as I explain.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was born In the early nineteenth century into the American institution of slavery. Throughout her life in captivity, she developed a love for her people who were also in captivity. This love prompted her to desire freedom for herself and her fellow captives. This love led her to eventually escape from the institution of slavery into freedom.
Harriet Tubman witnessed the horrors of the actions and mindsets that led to the existence of an institution that perpetuated unspeakable atrocities against those she loved. I think it is safe to say that because of her love for people, Harriet Tubman deeply hated the dehumanizing institution of slavery. Her lack of respect for the institution & laws of slavery led her on a multitude of excursions into slave territory to help many others excape into freedom.
The American institution of slavery that Harriet Tubman resisted is simply a small picture of the larger condition of slavery that has befallen all of humanity. Humanity fell into sin when they rejected the headship of the Lord for their own headship and control. The result of this action was the loss of mankind’s identity. Slavery was the result. When the love of the Lord overtakes us, however, it is only natural to begin to understand and experience the deep love that the Lord has for those who are living under the weight of slavery.
Legitimate Hate
Because it was for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal. 5:1), this love burning inside of me has compelled me to hate slavery. While there are many forms of slavery in the world, scripture clearly reveals that the most evil form of slavery is mankind’s religious slavery. Mankind’s religious system sits at the top of the ‘pyramid’ of the world’s enslaving systems. Throughout the ages, folks that have been the most religiously educated and indoctrinated have been the ones who have opposed the prophets in the Old Testament, and who spearheaded the movement to put to death the Son of God who came to set the captives free. The nature of fallen mankind has not changed, and it is still the religious system of mankind that opposes the freedom of mankind.
Since mankind fell into slavery & lost their identity when they rejected the headship of God for their own control, mankind will find freedom & identity only through the restoration of God’s headship. God’s rule and headship (kingdom) is fully restored ‘IN’ the person of Jesus Christ. ’IN’ Christ, the rule of God triumphs over all the false ‘heads’ that rule mankind’s systems and institutions.
We were not created to live by our own human life; rather, we were created to live in the environment of God’s headship with His life flowing within us. Mankind’s religious system, however, (no matter what label you put on it) is built upon the two false ‘pillars’ of the headship of mankind (selective clergy), and the slave mentality of the people (laity). Instead of carrying our true identity in Christ as ‘saints’, the religious systems of mankind seek to force people to continue to carry their old sinful identity. This is tragic.
The more that I am awakened to the vastness of the love of Jesus Christ, the more that I am awakened to the depths of bondage that come with mankind’s religious system. I have seen this system paralyze and bring death (both physically & spiritually) to those whom I dearly love. As a result, I deeply loathe and hate mankind’s religious systems with the utmost hate. I say this unapologetically. It seems the more that I am awakened to love, the more that my hate also grows for that which enslaves mankind.
Legitimate Love
By love, I am referring to the supernatural love personified in the person of Jesus Christ that dwells within my inner man. I am not talking about something that comes from an intellectual or emotional devotion to a theory, set of beliefs, or a mission statement. I am speaking of something much more profound. It is this supernatural love that fuels my desire for my brothers and sisters in Christ to be free, and it is this supernatural love that fuels my utmost hate for that which enslaves my brothers and sisters in Christ.
A Warning
The words that Paul the apostle wrote to the church community in the city of Corinth still apply today. If we don’t have love, even if we have ‘everything’, we really have nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). When an individual or community of believers loses focus of, and stops living by Christ’s divine love, two devastating things can occur that I feel compelled to warn you about.
1. Hating that which we should be loving (sectarianism)
When an individual or group of people begin to focus on and live by anything other than the life of Jesus Christ, exclusivity and sectarianism will shortly follow. While this regularly occurs in the religious system, it can also occur with groups who are attempting to gather and function outside of the religious system.
I know many brothers and sisters who are still a part of the institutional religious system. I want to publicly say that I love them dearly. I love to have fellowship with them and gather with them as often as possible despite our differences regarding the nature of the church. Even though I may strongly hate the system they are a part of, this does not affect my deep love for these precious brothers and sisters in Christ. I have many strong relationships with those who do not share my vision for the body of Christ. The divine love of Jesus Christ will empower us to love people in spite of the systems they may be apart of. This important distinction can only be made because of love.
2. Loving that which we should be hating (compromise)
This phenonamon is much more deceptive and difficult to detect because it seems legitimate on the surface. It may sound something like this:
I appreciate the institutional church system. Even though I have decided to leave the institutional religious system, it still has its place. The Lord still greatly uses this system, and I am thankful for it.
This is usually a fear based mindset that is a reaction against the perception of being ‘sectarian’. Can you imagine Harriet Tubman saying that while she has left the institution of slavery, she is thankful that it exists? While there were many slaves that were perfectly content with their status as slaves, this never altered Harriet Tubman’s belief in the the evils of the American institution of slavery.
In the same way, although I have many precious brothers and sisters whom I respect still within the institutional religious system, I do not accept the validity of that system despite the fact that the Lord still graciously works within that system. The fact that the Lord powerfully works within the religious system of mankind is evidence of His graciousness and mercy, not of the legitimacy of the system. You will never hear me give any form of legitimacy to that which is illegitimate. Because I love people, I deeply hate that which enslaves them. When the day comes in which the systems of mankind collapse (and its collapse is imminent), I will take the same celebratory posture that Revelation 18:20 beautifully describes.
Failure to see the distinction between people whom are deeply loved by the Lord, and the enslaving religious systems that are deeply hated by the Lord, is an alarming sign that we have lost sight of the divine life and love of Jesus Christ. May His divine love in us cause us to deeply love that which should be loved, and deeply hate that which should be hated.
I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves. ~~ Harriet Tubman
Jamal Jivanjee
Related Reading: A Three Step Marathon & We Don’t Need A Model, We Need A Vision
Challenging post! I really loved this quote- “The fact that the Lord powerfully works within the religious system of mankind is evidence of His graciousness and mercy, not of the legitimacy of the system.” I actually wrote it on a sticky note and posted it on my desk wall along with some other great thoughts from around the web and in His Word.
Funny, the verse it is stuck under is Philemon 1:8-9. Which I think is a great reminder as we seek to share the truth about the Bride with those deep in the religious system. We should appeal to them on the basis of love!
Thx for reading Hannah:)
WOW! Point #2 is something that I am hearing a lot of. I am confronted with those who are saying that God still works in the IC. As you stated and I know, yes, that is the case. I just cannot see myself going back to the IC but I have not found what I have been looking for locally as of yet. I could go back but then it would only be for the community groups. The Sunday gatherings I tire of and they really do not foster community except in the few minutes between the services or afterwards. At least from my 32 years in the IC. I will not restate all of the issues related to that.
Thx Frank!
May we love in and through the indwelling mind of Jesus Christ. As we do may we strive with passion and courage to express the hope that we collectively share, Christ IN us the hope of glory. Just as in Harriet’s case, we must hate that which opresses our brothers and sisters. We must be clear there is a way, a much fuller, and vibrant way to live IN Christ. The message of Hebrews is clear, better is always better.
May we with grace and truth trumpet His message.
Thanks again Jamal!
My pleasure Jim. Thx for your comment brother!
In my book “A Church Building Every 1/2 Mile” I gave this response to one of Eldra Bunkley’s questions. It came to mind as I was reading your post.
Eldra: What do you mean by just because God has used the pastor-centered system doesn’t mean He sanctions it? **JZ: We know that the Lord uses the governments of the world to accomplish his purposes, but that does not mean he sanctions all of their actions. For God to “sanction” something means that he is behind it, approves of it, and has revealed for it to be done. This cannot be said about the pastor-centered system. There is no evidence in the NT to suggest that the Lord sanctions a pastor-centered system. But he still uses it to accomplish many purposes. Here is an example that may help a little. The musical, “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” contains some truth and outright falsehood about Jesus. My guess is that the Lord used that production in some people’s lives as a step in their full discovery of salvation in Christ. Did God “sanction” this musical? I don’t think so. The truth is, the Lord uses a number of things that he does not sanction. Our goal should be to function in step with what we know he has sanctioned!**
Jon,
Thanks so much for your insightful comment. I agree whole heartedly. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon brother:)
My heart strongly resonates with the thoughts of this post brother. I have MANY loved ones who are still in the system. I e sometimes attend religious services and events, just so that they will know that I still love them and desire fellowship with them (these events are their primary way of having “fellowship”, which is weak at best and mostly fictictional. Sometimes I feel sick inside, or tormented, or a little poisoned even, after attending such services and events. But the love of God’s people still remains (He gave me the love, of course). It’s my prayer that those who remain within the system with be able to perfectly distinguish our hatred for the system from the Love of Christ that we have for them; and that we who are free will make that important distinction as well. God Bless and keep up the great work.
AnDraea,
Thank you for your insightful comment. I very much resonate with your prayer my sister! My our brothers and sisters see both our love for them, and our hatred for the system that afflicts them. Blessings to you, and welcome to the blog:)
Brother, the Lord timing is perfect. I experienced something just an hour ago that was displayed in word here. I found myself overcome with anger at a conversation I was way to close to. The topic is not relevant but the religious spoutings of someone who vocally preaches here where I work had me angry enough to leave the room. I was at first angry with him but I was concerned at the mix and intensity of anger and love within me.
Then I read your blog and realized why I was experiencing what I was. The love of Christ has stirred a hatred in me while causing me to almost weep at the same time. Once again the Lord has opened my eyes to see.
My ancestors, Harvey and Lucy Spelman, helped run the Underground Railroad in Cleveland to free runaway slaves fleeing to Canada (they also helped start the Congregational church in downtown Cleveland (now a religious institution) and are parents of Laura who married JD Rockefeller (oil baron who gained a destructive monopoly)).
I want my life to be remembered as one who helped captives find their way to Freedom. (Galatians 5:1)
Thank you so much brother Jamal! This is an incredible statement and you have finally put words and confirmation to what I’ve felt for years but always felt guilty for. Jesus even showed anger and hatred towards the institution but yet we often don’t because of fear- there it goes again. Our Lord was not afraid to let the people know when they were being led astray by mans institution rather than His Spirit and Grace. He loved people and loved his children but hated the slavery and corruption they were caught up in. Thank you!
My pleasure Jarred, thanks for commenting here. I’m glad that this gave words to what your spirit already knew. Blessings to you on this journey!
Killed it.
Boom.
Thanks Jamal: This was well put and reinforced by the real life travesty of human slavery presenting itself today as human trafficking with over 800,000 people being sold each year. His love is the only ground in which our faith can operate effectively otherwise we are left in a reactionary stance which produces a hate that is unable to distinguish the prostitute from her profession, the pastor from the system, etc. Man has an innate desire to rule and reign because it is in his divine design. Only the revelation of the gospel can make clear that this dominion has never been to rule kind over kind. This robs both those who rule and those who are ruled by them of their true design and purpose. I think the last statement by Harriet sums it up “if they had known they were slaves”. In one sense the laity is as much as fault as the clergy (1 Sam 8:6-8) even though the clergy will receive the greater judgment (not God’s but the fruit of their own choice) by exalting a man to deliver them. The giving of the Ten Commandments is prefaced by the gospel “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Exodus 20:2 If we deviate from this one message what happens is we deviate to another God # 1 then we create our own God # 2 then we worship that one # 3 and speak against the true God # 4 etc … you shall not even want these other things # 10. All stemming from a wrong or perverted view of the Father.
Right on, bro. A great visual expression of the Lord’s hatred for the harlot is in Jehu’s treatment of Jezebel [2 Kings 9]. He had her thrown down from an upper-story window, and then he drove his chariot over her until her blood flowed in the street and the dogs licked it up.
Trevor,
I have always deeply loved that story:) Thanks for sharing this brother!