Religious Extremism

Matthew 7:15, 16 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them.”

John 13:34, 35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” A deeply spiritual writer, Ellen G White, has said: “The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favour of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” (The Ministry of Healing, page 470).

Matthew 22:37-40 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself'” (vv 37-39). Renowned theologian Francis Schaeffer said, “Love—and the unity it attests to—is the mark Christ gave Christians to wear before the world. Only with this mark may the world know that Christians are indeed Christians and that Jesus was sent by the Father” (The Mark of a Christian, page 153).

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man.”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word [the Bible] is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Isaiah says: “If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light” (Isaiah 8:20).

Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Jesus' Attitude

Matthew 12:14 “[They] ...plotted how they might kill Jesus.” Jesus, speaking of His followers, said, “A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God” (John 16:2).

8. What was Jesus' attitude toward those who were crucifying him?

Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Acts 7:60 “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

The Judgment

Matthew 7:21-23 “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (v 23). Paul says those who don't “obey the gospel” will be punished with “everlasting destruction” (see 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

The US press blasted Robertson's comments. The news media said the preacher had forgotten Scripture, referring to the Christian commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” The Post-Gazette of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said, “Mr Robertson has said other stupid things in the course of his career, but this is especially shocking, even by his standards.” True Christianity will always be characterised by genuine love, not by hate or revenge. Jesus said, “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).