In my short life, I have heard several times people say that it is better to err on the side of love than of judgment. Although there are some good intentions in that idea, I think it is disastrous once taken to its fullest conclusion. While erring on the side of a least destructive option is a good place to start, it is not the goal. What follows is dramatic way of exploring the aforementioned disaster:

“I would rather err on the side of love,” some say as if it were a noble thing.  These people, these fools (myself included) employ only an attractive excuse to conceal the truth.  True and perfect love, the love of God, does not err.  That is the love for which we ought to strive.  That is the love being perfected in us and will be perfected in us.  This is a love no one has fully.  

However, it is inexcusable to declare ‘I will err with love!’  For such a declaration is contradictory and absurd.  When one says this, all he really means is, I would rather be nice according to the modern conventions of the term.  He truly has no love in mind.  ‘Perhaps he used the wrong term?’ you might ask.  ‘Maybe he only meant mercy and not love.’  So then, the person who admits to this degrades two terms instead of one!  There is a question begging to be answered.  What is the opposite side on which to err? If not love, what?  Hatred of the person?  If not mercy, what?  Judgment?  No moral, virtuous man lives the life of willfully attempting for any extended period to err on the side of hatred and condemnation.  And does not the virtuous and merciful fellow still call those who sin to repentance?  But the one who “loves” does not.  He is only nice.  He is polite and non-judgmental.  He is willing to let another drown in his sin and misery in the name of love.

“Oh, hardy fool!  Oh, polite preacher!  What love do you have?  What love do you bear?  Does your love bear all things?  No! It only bears the easy and vomits up the hard.  Does your love endure all things?  No! Your love is quick to forfeit a soul to the devil’s clutches.  Is your love patient and kind?  By no means!  For with a façade of patience you delay the truth until the ears are dead and the soul incapable of repentance.  As a Christian, you do the devil’s work.  You patiently wait until the day you no longer must affirm sin for your client will be in hell.  You have no kindness!  A man tries to kill himself and you do nothing?  Of course not!  Then why do you let men fly face first into fire?  Have you no basic decency?”

Mitchell D. Cochran is from Midland, Texas and is a graduate of Lubbock Christian University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He is currently attending Calvary University (online) for his Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. Mitchell currently resides in Lubbock, Texas with his wife Katherine.