The age-old question, what would Jesus do, is summed up in a simple four-letter phrase: He would love first. Nothing before or even after differs from this approach. This is what He does first, second, third, and so on. To that, how do we love first and always? C.S. Lewis sums it up in 5 words: wish the best for someone. Now it’s time to talk about some things that aren’t necessarily easy to talk about. 

 

It’s pride month. Not something you thought you’d see in a devotion, is it. But, ignorance is no answer to any question; therefore, conversation must ensue. Is it love to respond to someone who comes out as gay by encouraging them to join a conversion camp? Or is it love to tell someone who is gay that what they’re doing is a sin even if they don’t believe in the Lord? I’ve had a tough learning curve in my own life with my friends who are gay in saying the wrong things and not loving them first. 

 

I tried to tell a friend of mine that his “sin” was not as bad as someone who is prideful. I tried to tell them that the “issue” that they had would only limit them a little in their life as other things limited me. Beloved, my friends, do not make this same mistake as I. Your first and primary responsibility is to love that person unconditionally. There shouldn’t be a single thing that they would do to make you love them any less (and even though we are human and there are times we do falter with this, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try).

 

Before anything else, you wish the best for them in their life. You love them the best that you possibly can. You support them on their journey in this world that is already hard enough. If they ask you what you think, do not be shy about your belief, whether you lay on the side of it being or not being a sin. But, above everything, with your whole heart and mind, love them as best you can. 

 

Remember, they are flesh and blood just like you. There’s no them and us; we’re both human so treating them as you would any other friend is your only course of action. It doesn’t matter if u don’t agree with them, it only matters how u love them. 

 

This was something that took me a long time to learn and almost cost me one of my best friends; don’t make the same mistake I did and love your neighbor as yourself.