There is Wrong Love – Not All Love is Godly

In 1966, Joseph Fletcher’s “Situation Ethics” was hailed by many as a much-needed reformation of morality. It was a major seller and is still studied today in philosophy courses. Basically, it taught that to just do the loving thing was the best choice. The main problem is who decides what is love. God or man. This problem has manifested itself in the rise of sexual proclivities and gender confusion. (i.e. But they ‘love’ each other. It’s not ‘loving’ to be against same-sex marriage.)

The philosophy of this was likely somewhat opposed to the legalism of many churches at the time. Between legalism and liberalism, the Church should walk a better, narrower path. Think of the white lines on a highway. There’s plenty of room to move within the lines, but you shouldn’t go too far left into oncoming traffic or too far right onto the shoulder. When we go outside the lines, we begin to decide what is right and what is wrong. Of course, this is the age-old problem coming from the Serpent, “did God really say,” and “you will be as gods.” (Genesis 3:1-5).

There is wrong love.

1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

James 4:4 “Adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Jesus told us that we cannot serve two masters – love one, hate the other.

So, how are we to know correct love? 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments.”