Scripture

“Whoever says, ‘I am in the light,’ while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” 1 John 2:9-10

Reflections

We cannot hate others and be a follower of Jesus at the same time.

If we hate others, we live in darkness.  We remain blinded to the consequences of our actions.  We stumble along in our hateful attempts to do evil to our friends, brothers, sisters, companions, or whoever it may be.  But the result is, we are only damaging ourselves and others.

If we do not have a guilty conscience over our hateful attitude, we ought to wonder if we have really passed from death to life.  We are only deluding ourselves if we continue in hatred while calling ourselves Christians.  We set ourselves up to being locked in an unbreakable grip from which we cannot escape.

As followers of Jesus, we may temporarily succumb to this kind of thing.  We are by nature weak in the face of temptation.  If we have a guilty conscience, that is the Spirit calling us to turn to him.  When we do turn to him, we are reminded of his better way.  We are reminded of his forgiveness.  A new future awaits.

When the Son of God comes into our lives, the power of the evil one is broken, and we are delivered from this.  We can forgive.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for your love.  May your love be manifest in and through me, not because I am trying so hard, but because you have loved me and come to live your life through me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: 1 John 2:7-11