There’s a disturbing new trend in churches. I see it frequently.
I know that many have no respect for the English language, and perhaps use this phrase without thinking about it. But I would like for you to think about it.
While you are thinking about it, I beg you – please don’t “love on me”. I know that your pastor has perhaps told you that “we just want to love on ya!” But I beg you to stop.
Treat me with kindness. Listen to me. Don’t gossip or slander me. But please don’t love on me.
Respect my family. Say a kind word. Listen to me; I will listen to you.
Don’t jump to conclusions about me; don’t be quick to speak or hear of evil about me. But please don’t love on me.
Don’t join in condemning me; don’t hate me and speak all matter of evil against me falsely. Don’t lie about me. Tell me the truth. But please don’t love on me.
Bear with me; tell me if I’ve offended you and give me an opportunity to reconcile. Untangle me from sins that you may see me tangled in. Point me to Christ.
Be kind to my children. Pray for us. Smile at me; I am smiling back.
But please don’t love on me.
The problem is that pesky preposition “on”. Someone thought it was folksy and clever, and it has spread like a virus. But it spoils everything. It makes love an act of aggression with me as the victim and you as the perpetrator.
It also takes away from a very beautiful concept.
Love is a powerful word filled with powerful content.
God loved us and gave us His only begotten son.
Love one another, even as Christ loved His church. Jesus washes us with His blood; cleanses us with His Spirit, releases us from bondage; defeated death and sin and misery on the cross – because He loved us. He has sent His spirit to work love in our hearts – love for God and for our neighbor.
Loving ON someone, however, is an entirely different concept. If what you mean is what the Bible means by love – then please just say “love” and leave it at that. Better yet, just show your love by your works. Love is a bit like fame. If you have to tell someone you are, then you aren’t. Love, like fame, is easy to spot and doesn’t need to be announced.
I don’t even know what “loving on you” means. But I tend to think that if I catch you loving on my wife, I might react strongly against it. If I find you loving on my kids, I may just call the police.
Please don’t make me a victim of your love. That somewhat defeats the purpose, does it not?
My Only Comfort 