“If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
(1 Corinthians 13:1, AMP)

“Love is love”… gong

“Take back the rainbow”… clang 

“There is nothing to agree with, you are ignorant…” bang

“Marriage is defined…” crash 

My ears have been ringing for nearly a year, with the sound of clanging as people on every side, flock to social media to argue their point of view.

“You are only spewing hate…” gong

“My kids don’t need to be exposed…” clang 

How can anyone possibly make sense out of the never ending noise?

It seems to me that what remains is a bunch of shrill cymbals and clanging gongs.

Where then, does that leave love?

Christ calls His followers to action in Mark 12, by specifically instructing us to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

When will we as “Christians” realize that in our effort to prove our correctness, we lose sight of the people we are commanded to love?

In 1 John 4 we read more on the matter. 

God first loved us and called us to love one another in the same way.

Why do we believe spewing venom in His name will produce a positive outcome?

How can someone possibly hear and receive salvation when our lips drip condemnation, yet we feign ignorance to the sin that once or still has us entangled?

One of my first jobs out of high school was at a jewelry kiosk at the mall.

Every weekend I walked down the corridor with my clear purse slung over my shoulder ready to assist customers in their jewelry buying needs.

I will never forget the face of the man that would frequently stop by on his break to visit my manager. 

He would excitedly share about his escapades at clubs and often tried to include me in the conversation.

“What is your deal?”  he asked one Sunday afternoon, “Are you afraid to hang out with someone like me?” 

He stood, palms pressed against the glass, shooting daggers-as if daring me to look away or squirm in disgust. 

“It has nothing to do with you,” I mumbled. “I am a Christian, that isn’t really my scene.”

Rolling his eyes, he stalked off toward his store.

“Don’t mind him, " my boss said, attempting to ease the tension, "he likes to challenge people who believe differently.”

For the next few months, I came to expect the man, who in an attempt to elicit a reaction, would poke fun and taunt me.

Finally, I worked up the courage to ask why being a Christian was so offensive to him. 

His reply broke my heart, “I thought you were all the same,” he began, “the minute “Christians” find out I’m gay, they treat me differently.”

“I am really sorry that has been your experience,” I replied.

He quickly followed it up saying, “You seem different, though. I have tried everything I can think of to upset you but you’ve only shown me kindness.”

I didn’t dare utter a word as he walked away after this revelation… Instead, I shot up a prayer of thanksgiving for having been given this opportunity.

My purpose became all the more evident from that evening on… sure, I dutifully sold jewelry, pierced ears, and assisted customers but the task of extending Christ’s love became my primary focus.

From his previous interactions with “Christians,”  I was not surprised when he swiftly turned a deaf ear to anything I had to say. 

His perception, informed his reality, and associating with a Christian meant he would be on the receiving end of hate. 

With this knowledge, I shifted my approach. He was in desperate need of the HOPE I had experienced through my relationship with Jesus. 

A relationship I wanted to live out loud.

Following that conversation, his demeanor began to shift. His language transformed from aggressive to respectful. He seemed genuinely open to hearing my story and why following Christ was important to me. 

While I am uncertain of his current situation, I am hopeful that our brief encounter altered his view of people who claim Christ. 

Regardless of the hierarchy Christians have established concerning sin, we were never instructed to pass judgement, cloaked in smug self-righteousness. The act of conviction and judgement belongs solely with God.

It is, however, the assignment of every disciple to pursue holiness while exhibiting Christ’s love in every situation. (Ephesians 5:1-2) 

By living out our faith, we may take part in impacting the lives of those around us. The very people for whom a sinless, Jesus, came to provide salvation.

Nevertheless, if our approach is not completely saturated with love, dear reader, we have very little hope of breaking through the clanging noise. (John 4:37)