As we continue Counting the Omer, today we come to Day #16. The number 16 in scripture signifies God's Love. We all know the famous John 3: 16 verse that begins with: "For God so loved the world..." In scripture, there are 16 different names and titles of God with each facet outlining His enduring love and mercy. While most people often don't realize this, God's Judgment is also love. Just as any good parent would not raise a child without any restraint or discipline, God corrects those whom He loves. 

But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:32 (Berean Study Bible)

God's Chosen People, the Israelites, had a series of 16 Judges from the time they took possession of the Promised Land up until King Saul. We cannot fully comprehend the verse "God is Love" unless we fully recognize that the true definition of Love involves BOTH God's Grace AND His Judgment.

Recently, a well-known Christian couple with a home improvement TV show had an opportunity to speak out on the grave dangers of homosexuality and "gay marriage." Instead, after the controversy raged, they put out a lukewarm statement of "building bridges" and "loving everyone." It was the same old tired worn phrases of "tolerance" and "inclusivity." It reminded me of this lyric from an old Duran Duran song:

"You Kill Me with Silence"

That same week, a popular gospel singer was kicked off the Ellen DeGeneres Show. For those who don't already know, Ellen is a militant lesbian activist. Apparently, Ellen didn't get the "tolerance" and "inclusivity" message. When will we learn that the devil is not inclusive unless he is planning on including you into HELL?

Just what is the definition of Love? It seems today that secularists and modern-day Christianity has muddied this to the point where most people cannot adequately explain it. We know what the Bible says. Most everyone is familiar with 1 Corinthians 13. However, CHRIST is the physical embodiment of LOVE in the flesh. So, it's extremely important to get this right. If we follow Christ, we will be like Him:

Love CARES

Love HURTS

Love CRIES

Love ANGUISHES

Love PLEADS

Love WARNS

Love SACRIFICES

Yet today it seems, Love has been redefined as the absence of opposition and/or silence in calling out sin. This is actually the definition of "indifference," which is the utter antithesis of Love. This disparity is most clearly shown in the way many Christian denominations are attempting to reach out to abortion minded people and homosexuals. Somewhere on this pathway, they have lost the plot. Love's ultimate goal is to desire the HIGHEST GOOD for the other person.  Many, every day, come out of that lifestyle.  If you are truly Christ's disciple, you know, down to your inner core, that promoting or having an abortion and/or continuing in the homosexual lifestyle cannot possibly be the highest good for anyone. These "choices" are rife with mental, physical and spiritual destruction. They bring no life, only death.

Recently, I received email messages from two well-respected Christian organizations. The first one asked me pray for abortion doctors so that they might experience more of God's love, mercy and kindness. The second asked me to pray for pro-abortion legislators so that they might experience "the goodness of God." I had to drop to my knees in tortured anguish at this mischaracterization of God's goodness.

Abortionists and Politicians have ALREADY experienced the love, grace, mercy, kindness and long-suffering patience of God. They currently live in a society that offers the most prosperous, peaceful, healthy, blessed, educated and egalitarian culture ever to exist on planet earth in all of recorded history. This begs the question: How much more "love, kindness, goodness and patience" does one need in order to repent?

This is Christian political correctness gone mad. If these well-intentioned intercessory requests mean we are to pray for even MORE restraint of God's hand of correction, I humbly believe we are praying in defiance of God's will. Should the WWII German Church have prayed for God to allow more time for Josef Mengele and Adolph Hitler to change course? How many more innocents must die? History allows us to the unique opportunity to see the end result of looking away from those in bondage. Instead, we must pray for the captives to be set free. This may not be the most comfortable situation for us personally, but that is the very ESSENCE of true Christianity.

Even a sinful, imperfect parent knows that a completely undisciplined child will eventually become a sociopathic, tyrannical brat. Western Civilization continues to overturn almost every sensible abortion restriction and continues to pursue extended perversion sanctifications. We have not shown much repentance in our legislation on the sanctity of life and/or the releasing children from the mandated schooling in perversions.

Yes...there have been "pockets of repentance" but the law of the land remains the same and the devil's agenda keeps marching "forward" as we continue to compromise with evil. Abortion is now readily available UP TO THE DUE DATE. Little babies, already born, are now being left to die. Mandated school curriculum requires LGBTQ+ indoctrination. Truly this is a clear repeat of previous pagan cultures. One might ask: Are we having love yet?

This discussion can go on ad nauseum but Jesus called us to rightly discern the times we are living in:

He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ~ Matthew 16:2-3

Here's God's definition of LOVE. This is the type of LOVE that I pray abortion activists and legislators will soon experience...

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ~ Revelation 3:19

Despite the nonsensical hashtag #LoveIsLove...love is correction. We must brace for impact as we are about to see the other side of God's love...the disciplining side. If we don't start warning people of God's coming Judgment, we are simply...

"Loving" them to DEATH.

In meekness [meaning BOLDNESS under control] instructing those that oppose them; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. ~ 2 Timothy 2:25