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Love and Acceptance: A New Generation of Flower Children

by Sherrie G

The '60s Had Its Own Thing Going On

Source: Sherrie Giddens

We are often told that to love others is to also accept their lifestyles, regardless of what the Bible may say about it. Society expects us to love and accept others as they are, and forbids us to judge in any way.
I remember growing up in a time when peace and love, acceptance, flower children, and a promotion of freedom from the establishment, was all the rage. While the '60s had its own thing going on, today's cries for acceptance are similar; if it feels right, it must be right. Did the '60s insure peace and love, or did it bring about as much poverty and pain as the ways of life that were condemned as being part of the establishment?
Some may defend their lifestyle by claiming that they are free to love. They may claim it is not hurting anyone. What could be wrong with it?
What do we use as our measuring rod for what is acceptable and what isn't? While we are to love one another, love and acceptance is not the same thing. You can love someone and still reject their behavior based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
When someone we love crosses the line, we let them know. We take the time to explain that while we love them, we do not accept their behavior. Would it surprise you to know that Jesus Christ does this as well?
The question becomes one of faith in Jesus Christ. Do we believe in Him as our savior? Do we believe that He loves us enough to know what is best for us? Do we use Him as our measuring rod for what is right and what is wrong? Do we let Him define what is right and what is wrong? Do we believe that Jesus Christ has the right to love us and at the same time, let us know that our lifestyle is unacceptable and not part of His way of life? Are we willing to accept that we can be hurting ourselves, through our own behavior, and not be aware of it?
In Revelation:21:5-8 [5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
[6] And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
[8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death., John sees New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.
New King James Version (NKJV)

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

In these verses it is evident, that while Jesus Christ loves mankind and wants nothing more than to see everyone enter into His Kingdom, there are certain lifestyles he rejects and judges to be unworthy of His Kingdom.
The good news is that we can overcome. It doesn't matter who we are today or what our sins may be, we have the ability to repent and become acceptable to our God. By loving God first and making Him the foundation for our own lifestyles, we can be assured that we too will see that city, New Jerusalem.