1 John 2:9-11
Verse 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
It is easy to think of our being known as Christians because of our love for each other when we word it in the positive as Jesus did, but when it is framed in the negative wording we see it in the verse above, it may be harder to swallow. Maybe it is because this makes it so much more personal. It doesn’t bother us so much when we are thinking about it in the sense of the Church as a whole but to actually think about those relationships we have with fellow Christians, makes us take a deep breath as certain faces start coming to mind.
Hate seems like an extreme word but we know that is because we don’t like to think of ourselves and our thoughts being as bad as they are. It somehow seems nicer to say we “dislike” someone or even “can’t stand” them. The truth is there are those people, even fellow Christians, whom we want nothing to do with. We may scope out where they are and will sit as far away from them as possible. We know who they are close with and make sure we don’t get too close to them ourselves. We may go as far as avoiding events we know they will be at.
Another angle where we may easily dismiss our not getting along with another believer is when they belong to another church and/or denomination. While we may not always agree with the doctrines others hold, we are to treat them lovingly as brothers and sisters. This can be especially tricky when there are doctrinal differences.
Just because we don’t agree with them doesn’t mean we have to hate them. While we may stand miles apart on some issues, if they believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to earth, died and rose again, sent the Holy Spirit to live in His chosen people, we must choose to love them. On the other hand, if they belong to an organization which holds to different doctrines than those found in the Bible but consider themselves Christians, we still can’t hate them because that may just place them in the loving our enemies category.
No matter if we look at it from the negative or positive angle, the truth is, if we love Jesus and are living as His people, we will love each other as believers. We will love through grace, forgiveness and encouragement at all times, because that is how Christ loves us.
Making It Personal
What makes it hardest for you to love other Christians? Why does that issue bother you so much? How can you make yourself more lovable?
Making It Personal Kids
Are there things others do which bother you more than other things? Why do you think those things bother you so much? Do you do your best at being lovable?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for making us different. If we were all the same we would probably fight more than we do now. Help us learn to love better. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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