Letting Go of Hatred There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. . . If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:19-21 It’s easy to say you love God. But it’s not always so easy to love other people, is it? And what is it that God wants from us? He wants us to love Him and love others. And, God has so intertwined your love for Him with love for others that when you really start loving others with His love, you’ll give up your hatred and prejudice. If you truly love God and you truly love others, you’ll find that you don’t have the option of hating our brothers and sisters. In fact, He doesn’t even give you the option of hating your enemies. Jesus said, “But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you” (Luke 6:27-28). The bottom line is this: surrendering to God means surrendering your hatred as well. Loving people you like is easy. But God calls us to exhibit His love—which was a love that drove Jesus to the cross. That means loving people you don’t necessarily like. That means loving your enemy. You can’t do it on your own. You need to draw from God’s endless supply of His love. Draw from his well, and drink. There is only one way of not hating those who do us wrong, and that is by doing them good. I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 16:43:47 +0000
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