Tough Love

This Sunday's reading from John 15:9-17 has often been used to justify acceptance of sinful behavior in the name of "love", but I think it does not proscribe "tough love". In fact, following Jesus' commandments sometimes means telling the world the tough truth about sin.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. 

What is the loving thing to do when a child is lost? Should you let them stay lost? No, you organize a search party and go out looking for the child. 

What is the loving thing to do when a child tries to put a finger in an electrical socket? You slap its hand of course and tell it to never do that again.

What is the loving thing to do for someone who is spreading a false gospel? 

What is the loving thing to do when your friend is an Episcopalian or United Methodist?

Hmmm....