By Sheila McLellan

During ancient times, there were those who followed Jesus and those who did not. There were people who knew that the scriptures spoke of kindness and “…pleading the cause of the poor and needy…” (Prov. 31:9, KJV); yet, some held onto their own ways. They followed the voices of crowds in ignoring the poor or hating the rich instead of following Him to love those from all walks of life.

There are many people today, just as in ancient times, which follow the voices of crowds instead of the voice of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that if He went away He would send the Comforter (Holy Spirit). (John 16:7) He said that the Holy Spirit would “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). As people who love Jesus, we should strive to follow the Holy Spirit. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God.”(Romans 8:14)

If we follow the Holy Spirit, He will lead us to love others regardless of their differences. This does not mean that we have to accept every ideology. It means that we respond to others in love rather than hate; including to those who differ from us. How else can we expect others to receive Christ?

Scripture reveals that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, …bond nor free…: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) With that line of thinking it also means that in Christ there is neither African-American nor Caucasian; there is neither Democrat nor Republican; there is neither rich nor poor. Jesus even said to “…love our enemies…” (Matthew 5:44) How is it then that some people of different political parties, ethnicities and economic means, many of whom are Christian, act with malice toward each other? God loves people. He asks how can someone say that he loves Him when he has never seen Him, and hate his brother, “…whom he hath seen”? (1 John 4:20)

As Christians, we should strive to follow the voice of the Holy Spirit to love others, regardless of their differences, over the voices of any groups. Yes, there are serious problems with many of the other groups; but there are serious problems with many of our groups as well. If you have difficulty relating to those of other groups and you are a Christian, ask the Lord to help you. If you are not a Christian and you have difficulty, simply believe and confess that He died on the cross for your sins and rose again so that you can have eternal life. Ask him to help you to relate to those of other groups. As you seek Him, you will begin to know His guidance. You will see that as we follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, He leads us to love others regardless of their differences.

Minister Sheila McLellan is a Suffolk Public Schools graduate and holds a certificate from Wiggins Bible Institute. Contact her at rylsrvnt@yahoo.com.