It’s no secret that Donald Trump has caused major controversy on both sides of the political spectrum ever since this year’s election season began. Republicans and Democrats alike are voicing their opinions of disapproval of Donald Trump’s candidacy for president.

A few weeks ago, there was the “scandal” when the Pope inadvertently called Donald Trump “not Christian,” and the public ran with it and took advantage of each opportunity to hate and ridicule Donald Trump in every way they could. Because, “if the Pope called Donald Trump ‘not Christian,’ for what he plans to do, then Trump must not be a Christian,” right? Who knows, and who is anyone to determine that?

Even though we don’t necessarily have the same political views as Trump, we are all sinners. I am not saying Trump’s political views are right or wrong. This post is not about politics. I am saying that we need to love and respect each other and recognize that we are all sinners. No one is better than anyone else. If Jesus can love, forgive and sacrifice His life for us, then we can find it in our hearts to love all of our brothers and sisters.

Mathew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” It is not our position to judge as Jesus judges, but rather to lead everyone to the love of God through the words we speak and the way we live our life.

What angers me the most about Donald Trump and his candidacy for presidency is the hate that everyone is throwing him. People hate Donald Trump because Facebook and Twitter hate Donald Trump. The hateful posts people post online say more about the person posting them than the person they’re about. I have watched my friends, and people in general, who identify as “Christians” say some of the most hateful and spiteful things about Donald Trump and the people who support him.

I am not questioning the validity of anyone’s claim to faith. I am saying that it’s about time that we as Christians start to let the world know the Good News, love and graciousness of God by our actions. If you call yourself a Christian, then you accept the responsibilities that come with that title. Whether you support his politics or not does not in any way change the fact that he, along with his supporters, are people and deserve respect as such. No politician is worthy of any less respect than you. No person is.

Don’t think that I am trying to preach at you. I am as guilty of this as anyone, too. I think we all have said some not-so-nice things about Donald Trump (and frankly about most politicians and people in general.) It’s time we as brothers and sisters united as one and indivisible by God under the flag of the United States of America, be a light of God’s love for us. We need to use our platforms of social media to bring people up, not tear them down.

It goes back to this basic principle: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Life is too short and life is too precious to hate people, for your sake and for theirs. If God can love, forgive and treasure us even though we are more than unworthy, then we can find it in our hearts to respect Donald Trump (and all our brothers and sisters) with the dignity that they deserve as people.

So, think twice before you post any hateful post about Trump or his supporters online and remember that Donald Trump, his supporters and all people are loved by God, as are you.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.