1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother whom he sees, he has not seen God nor is he able to love.
ἐάν τις εἴπῃ ὅτι Ἀγαπῶ τὸν θεὸν καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ μισῇ, ψεύστης ἐστίν· ὁ γὰρ μὴ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ὃν ἑώρακεν, τὸν θεὸν ὃν οὐχ ἑώρακεν οὐ δύναται ἀγαπᾶν.
John makes a clear connection between loving God and the need to love those around us. The challenge is how to interpret the word “hate” here. The is a strong word in English, especially for a Christian, and especially after reading all of this chapter in 1 John. Few of us would say that we hate anyone. The challenge, however, is that there are subtle ways where we lack love. Sometimes, we let hurts go unhealed. These can grow to the point where they blind love and become a barrier between us and our brothers and sisters. We have all probably heard excuses like, “I won’t apologize until so and so apologizes.” There is no place for this attitude in the church or anywhere for a Jesus follower.
Love is closely related to humility. Humility is a requirement for strong relationships with others. Humility does not mean that a person just accepts the whims, abuses and animosity of others. Humility in such situations may require great strength. Love is also closely related to forgiveness. When others wrong us, the Holy Spirit will take God’s love in us and guide us to forgiveness of others. If we do not forgive, we are not listening to the Holy Spirit. Love is also related to acts of compassion. Compassion can be the spark that begins relationships and heals the brokenness within relationships. The key question is, will we live by the darkness of the world or will we walk in the light of love?
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