Love First: Ending Hate before It's Too Late

by Don Mclaughlin

“A terrible virus has spread across the planet and turned the human race into bloodthirsty monsters. Mankind’s only hope for survival is . . .” Originally part of the tagline for the sci-fi thriller I Am Legend, these lines describe the undercurrent of unrest and turbulence in our world. The virus we face is hate— an epidemic infecting social media, politics, neighborhoods, and homes. Communities of believers, which should be clinics with the cure, are instead suspected of being primary carriers of the virus.

But there is hope. Hate, even in its most nefarious forms, is no match for the love modeled by Jesus. Love is his cure for the sick and dying world. But not just any love. This is not just a book to inspire more love; it’s a revolutionary call to love better. Historians, sociologists, and theologians agree that we are experiencing the most fundamental changes in global society in the last five hundred years. And while the church has a lofty vision and mighty power, we are disastrously unprepared. This book presents an understandable, practical, and doable approach to loving others with such clarity and conviction that the world will truly know the God who loves us first.

Genres: Faith, Nonfiction

287 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2017

Reviews

[Byron Fike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a challenging, practical book that calls the people of God to live lives filled with the love of God.

[Nathan Bridgeford · Rating 2 out of 5]

don mclaughlin seems like a very nice guy but this book just does not come close to justifying its length. i felt like i had a pretty good handle on his argument after the first chapter and never wavered from that feeling

[Michael Decamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give out five stars easily. In fact, I rarely give out four. I gave this book 5, not because of the eloquence, although I found it to be a good read. Rather, I gave it 5 because I think it hits a nail on the head that I've been trying to find for a long time. Something has been bothering me about church. Why are people not sticking around? Why does it seem that it has fallen out of favor in our society? Why are the members so slow to engage, and seem to be lukewarm in their commitment? Why are our young people abandoning it? What are we missing? Don McLaughlin has nailed it, I think. We have forgotten our first and second loves. We give lip service to loving God and loving one another, but in the practical world of day-to-day life, and the theological world of functional faith, we have abandoned the commitment to those two "most important" commandments. This book is a call to return to the "new command" that Jesus gave us: "Love one another." Otherwise, like 1 Corinthians 13 says, without love we'll just be empty and very irritating.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional, simply exceptional. Chapter after chapter after chapter, I was presented with no-holds-barred challenges to self-examine, which felt strikingly similar to when I attended the same church as Don and listened to his messages. He is one of the most passionate ministers I've had the pleasure of knowing, and I could hear the passion in his voice with each page here - offering real ways I can Love better, be a better husband and father, better Christian, and better member of my communities.

[Brenda H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world needs more love, and we must be reminded constantly of the love of Christ which is "too great to understand." Don beautifully breaks down the messages and examples of love from throughout the Bible. This book left me eager to pursue a love-first approach to life!

[Adam Metz · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 star message, but I didn't love his writing style and was quite repetitive. Reads as a really long sermon with lots of alliteration which came across a little trite. Loved the much needed message for today but lost me a bit throughout. 3 and a half stars overall.