A few years ago I was having a conversation with some Christian friends of mine on a drive from San Luis Obispo, CA to Yosemite about guns and the environment. When I read about Jesus, or John The Baptist and the Essenes, I see a very peaceful ideology. Constantly Jesus says "love one another," "help one another," "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword," etc. But the constant theme of his message was Love. When asked what the most important commandments were, he responded with 'Love God, Love others' (Matthew 22:34-40).
Now to me, in order to actually do this, one must love nature and each other.
If we are to Love God, we must love every thing about Him. Which includes that which He created. How is it that so many Christians have a care-free attitude towards the Earth? I know too many Christians who don't think we need to take care of this planet because "God gave it to us to use as we see fit," or "Christ is going to return soon anyways," or "God's in control, it will sort itself out." To me this is not showing Love to God. If I borrow someone's car for an extended period, I'll be sure to keep the car clean, and return it with a full tank of gas. If I'm at someone's house, I don't trash it, and I'll usually help clean up. I do this because I have respect for the owner of the car or house. When I would borrow CDs, I'd always take extra good care of them. Now, God has lent us this world, and we're supposed to Love Him, not just respect Him. And this world was created by that which we are supposed to Love, therefore we should love that creation.
So this morning it dawned on me that if Loving God means taking care of His creation, and there is so much either apathy or even opposition to protecting Creation, then it must be the work of Satan. At least a Christian should view it that way.
There is scientific proof that pollution is causing damage to this planet and all of it's inhabitants (from man to plankton). If we Love God we must Love His creation, and must protect it, all of it. If we don't, we are sinning! By disregarding Creation we are disregarding an aspect of God, and not following His commands, and therefore are in sin: by not protecting the environment.
And Jesus also said to "Love others." In order to do that we must do so actively. Helping those who are less fortunate, no matter what the reason they are where they are at. In Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt. 25-31-46), he says we should take care of everyone, especially those who don't have as comfortable a life as ourselves. Refusing to help the poor when you're able to is a sin. It doesn't matter why the person is in need, we are to help when we can (Luke 3:11). Additionally, if we are to love each other we must do things to make life more comfortable to live, which also means creating a healthy environment, not just globally, but locally as well.
And we must also be kind to one another. Being kind to one another also includes not being violent, and not supporting violence. Violence of any sort is a sin. War is a sin. Guns (non-hunting-for-food-guns) are sin.
As Christians we must be better. We must protect each other and the environment. We must Love God's creation, all of it.
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