You have a name for everything I am; but I’ve only got one for you.

You call me a dinosaur because the principles I am bound to live by are ancient.

You call me a racist because I disagree with social programs that, in the long run, cripple those you claim to be helping.

You call me a chauvinist because I stand up for the divinely ordained authority structure in the household.

You call me a homophobe because I believe that homosexuality is a sin.

And when you run out of specific names for whoever you think I am, you lump me in with the rest of those who stand up for Biblical values, and you call me a hater.

By the world’s standards, I can understand why you would call me these things. In fact, it makes total sense…so much so that I wouldn’t expect to be called anything less. In a perverse way, at least you have integrity to that which you believe. I’m not applauding you, but I ask you to hold that thought.

It’s fair to say that you and I stand on polar ends of the spectrum when it comes to life itself.

You see, you believe there’s life in this life. I don’t. (Matthew 16:25-26)

You believe there’s a way to make your life better if you just focus on self. I don’t. (Matthew 16:24)

You believe that love is weak, always compromising, accommodating. I don’t. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

How can two people born into the same world end up so polarized? Easy, you were born once and shall die twice. I was born twice and shall die but once. Huh? Let me explain.

Both of us were born in sin, but only I was born again, long after my physical birth. Unless you are saved, you will die physically (“first death”) and in your sins (“second death” - John 8:24). I will only experience physical death.

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”
— John 3:4-7

You see, when I was born again everything changed for me, even my citizenship in this world, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). My second birth has placed me in union with the One who saved me from the throes of spiritual death. You are still under the reign of death. I am not. So it makes sense that you think one way and I think another. For while we are physically neighbors, spiritually, we are worlds apart. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This may sound odd to you, but hear me out. I actually think it’s a good thing that you feel the way you do about me, for two reasons. First, it lets me know that my ambassadorship in Christ is bearing fruit (2 Corinthians 5:20). Second, it lets you know that we are vastly different, and what I have, however you perceive it, you cannot have (at least not in your current condition). We are so different, you and I, that my life is offensive to you. I mean, isn’t that why you have so many names for me, to discredit who I am??? Indeed. But here’s the shocker…

I’m not offended by you. You are offended by me. You hate me, but I love you.

I know you want me to enter into lengthy arguments about why the names you call me are justifiable, but what you’re forgetting is that I once walked in your shoes. I know your arguments because I once defended your viewpoint. But here’s the thing, you don’t have my perspective on things (as a former worldly professor, I know that deep down that upsets you, too). How dare I stand this far from the crowd and exhibit uncommon grace, conviction…and oh, the doozie, love. How dare I, right??? How can someone like me claim love and wear your slanderous names without shame, without retort? As I alluded to earlier, I expect you to be upset with me. I am in Christ, and He is the greatest stumbling block to ever grace the earth.

While you remain agitated, enraged, and poised for battle, I am content, willing to let the very Words of my Lord, Jesus Christ, wage war with you. If my role is anything here, it’s simply to present you with said words and resist the urge to engage you (James 4:7), the enemy whom I love (Matthew 5:44). That’s right, I said I love you - sorry if that provokes you even more, it isn’t meant to.

I don’t want to fight with you, but I invite you to fight with Christ. I believe if you take an honest shot at Him, the One who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14), you will be crushed. I can’t do that, nor am I to even try. In fact, I’m not interested, except to see you made like me some day, hopefully.

I pray that your ferocity persists and never fades away. For if the latter happens, I fear that you will have become hard of heart, less passionate, less caring about any of this. That’s when my hope for you dims, and I become truly saddened. The fight in you means that you still care enough about things that matter in life. I don’t want you to resign. I do hope that at some point in the future, when you’re exhausted, you experience something akin to the apostle Paul, who realized his vigor was wholly misplaced. I pray this for you, my enemies.

Call me whatever you’d like, I can bear it - I already have in many ways. If when we clash you are cut deep, know that my heart goes out to you, for it is the Word of God that has gashed you, crippled your arguments, relegated you to subjective bantering. It wasn’t me, Ed Collins, for I’m just a soldier for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3), wielding a weapon that I couldn’t even pick up unless He helped me.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
— Hebrews 4:12

I don’t hate you, even though you may hate me right now. In fact, I love you. Aren’t I proving that to you right now by writing this? I mean, I could be writing to my brothers and sisters in Christ, building them up, rallying around their everlasting hope, right? But I’m not, so give me that, will you, lest you be condemned by your own conscience? Part of you hates me for even writing this - I know, I remember, too.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.
— Proverbs 25:21-22

You keep calling me whatever you need to. If that’s your ointment, then so be it. I’ll take it, as long as you give me, an honest disciple of Jesus Christ, a smidgen of regard, even if ever so slight. That’s all light needs, just a crack in your armor, to shine through to your heart. When you raise your weapon against me, my prayer is that light finds its way through the folds of darkness, for said armor isn’t infallible. It’s not really a fair fight, but you don’t know this yet, do you? I remember. Some day I’m hoping you do and your role is reversed; instead of me standing in awe of what He’s chosen to do through me, it’s you instead.

Just know that I’ve heard you, loud and clear. While you have a multitude of names for me, I submit but one for you - lost. I’ll be praying for you. I love you.

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins