Higit sa lahat, magmahalan kayo nang tapat, sapagkat ang pagmamahal ay pumapawi ng maraming kasalanan. Huwag maging mabigat sa inyong loob ang pagtanggap sa inyong mga kapatid …

1 Pedro 4:8-9

Na-stress si Helen sa kanyang anak nang makita ang malaking tattoo sa braso nito. Para sa kanya, hindi katanggap-tanggap sa church nila ang magpa-tattoo. Sinumbong niya ang anak sa pastor nila, expecting disciplinary action to be taken against her child. But to her surprise, ang nasabi lang ng pastor ay, “Just love him.”

Ang simple ng sagot ni pastor. Pero hindi kaya kailangan din natin ang payong ito especially when we are dealing with a rebellious child, arguing with an officemate who has other beliefs, or relating sa mga transgender? Hindi ba kailangan din nating pakitunguhan sila with grace and truth?

God’s instruction for us is to love. “Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]” (1 Peter 4:8 AMP). Mahalaga kay Lord ang magmahalan tayo dahil sa pamamagitan ng pag-ibig Niya, mapapatawad natin ang maraming kasalanan ng ating kapwa. It doesn’t say that when we love, we are to tolerate sin. We love the person but hate the sin just like the way our heavenly Father dealt with us. He loves us but hates our sins and this is why He sent His son, Jesus Christ — to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross (1 John 3:16). It is only when we understand and experience God’s great love for us that we are able to love others nang walang discrimination o panghuhusga.