And to see that it comes from a group claiming to profess to the very same name of Jesus that I do is at best abhorrent and at worst a sin of unspeakable evil. They slander the very love that offers eternal salvation and forgiveness from sins.
I had to write a letter to them, because I cannot stand by while such evil is propagated throughout the world. Quoted below is the text of my letter to them:
To the leadership and people of Westboro Baptist Church;I can only hope that they see the evil of their ways and turn to God. They will have a most unenviable punishment in store for them, beyond that of even Hitler himself, I would suspect.
I loathe the very salutation that I write. To say that I am writing to a church is unfathomable, such is the ignorance and folly of your message. Based on all that I have read of yours, I must conclude that you are not a church at all, nor any children of Christ, for "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15 NIV)
What is the command of God? "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31 KJV)
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:11-17 NIV)
What does it mean to love your neighbor? "In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may incur.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:30-37 NIV)
Yet God, in all of his mercy goes even further to extend grace even unto the sinners and enemies of God. "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on his head. And the LORD will reward you." (Proverbs 25:21-22 NIV)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (Romans 5:8-10 NIV)
"For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love." (Psalm 109:4-5 KJV)
"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:39-48 NIV)
You found your entire message on the idea that God hates sinners. God does not hate sinners; God hates sin. "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love." (Psalms 119:113 KJV) "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:15 KJV) "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD." (Zechariah 8:17)"
I fear for your salvation. You do not know God, because you do not obey him. Satan is a father of deceit. The sinners you seek to condemn are but deceived servants of Satan; but you, you are flesh of Satan's flesh and bone of his bone. You take the truth of God and twist it to your own wicked purpose that you might elevate yourself above your neighbor by denying God's love and salvation to him.
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' [Did we not condemn the homosexuals and admonish those who do evil? Did we not tirelessly preach mourning for the sins of the land?] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:15-23 NIV)
Your church, such as it should not be named, is a bastion of Satan and a disgrace to all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth. Repent of your deceit. Turn to God, or wait and face Him in the end.
May God have mercy on your souls.
In grief,
Andrew
My soul is in great sorrow for this wickedness, and I do not doubt that it sorely grieves the very God that they call upon.
- "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."
As a bit of supporting documentation, this is their official website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.godhatesfags.com/