Many today try to justify actions by calling them “loving,” even when those actions contradict what God said. True love does not try to improve God’s standard—it follows it. God has valid reasons for His commands, and they are for our eternal welfare. When we ignore His commands in the name of love, we endanger the very souls we claim to love. Every one of the following actions works against the salvation of souls, in the name of love and tolerance:
- Refusing to address or rebuke sin because some claim that would be unloving (1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:13; 2:15; Rev. 3:19)
- Refusing to teach the truth about homosexuality because some claim that would be unloving (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Jude 7)
- Ignoring false doctrine to “keep peace” (Rom. 16:17; Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:15-18; 2 Pet. 2:1-2)
- Teaching salvation by faith alone, trying to make the strait and narrow path broader than God made it (Mt. 7:13-14, 21-27; Heb. 5:9; Jam. 2:19-26; 1 Pet. 1:22)
- Treating all religious groups as equally acceptable to God (Mt. 7:13-14; Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12; Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2:15)
- Extending Christian fellowship to those not in fellowship with God (Rom. 16:17; Eph. 5:11; 2 Jn. 9-11)
- Accepting unscriptural worship practices to avoid offending others (Mt. 15:9; Jn. 4:23-24; Col. 3:17)
- Forgiving those who refuse to repent, even though God requires repentance (Mt. 18:15-17; Lk. 17:3-4; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2:6-9; 7:9-12)
- Refusing to withdraw from impenitent brethren, though God says this must be done so that “the spirit may be saved” (Mt. 18:11-17; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15)
- Supporting family or friends in sinful activities in the name of “love”(Rom. 3:8; 1 Cor. 10:27-33; 13:6; Eph. 5:11; 2 Jn. 9-11; Rev. 3:19)
Conclusion: God is love (1 Jn. 4:8), and His commands define what love truly is—not our feelings or preferences. Trying to be “nicer than God” is not true love—it is either ignorance or willful disobedience disguised as compassion. May we never assume that we know better than God. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).