Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
I John 2:9-11
The simplicity and the depth of what the Apostle John said is amazing. On the surface he points out the simple difference between hating and loving. Below the surface he reminds us that hating our brother blinds us.
One of the things that impresses me about my pastor is that he gets along with other pastors and has a deep partnership with so many in the community. Let's be honest, loving some people is not easy. But, the issue is that Jesus loved us, when we didn't love him and we are supposed to love some people even when they don't love us. The simplicity is that the question to ask about how we deal with others is: Is it in love? When you think the other person is in the wrong do you respond in love? When you are in a hurry do you wait in love? Think about how often God waits for you, is patient with you, tells you the same thing again and forgives you.
The love of God is simple in its' truth and deep in its' application. Hate others and be blinded by the darkness. Love others and walk in the light.
Father, help us to live in the light as you are in the light. Praise be to you in us today!
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