“The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” – 1 John 2:9-11
It is impossible to live simultaneously in two spheres–the sphere of light and the sphere of darkness. It is also impossible to live in the community and yet hate a fellow member of that community. Hate and love are incompatible; they repel each other like oil and water. Christian love is not a feeling but a choice. John’s words here focus on the attitude that causes us to ignore or despise others, to treat them as irritants, competitors, or enemies. As hard as it may be at times, the only way we can love others as Christ loves us is by Christ loving others through us. Therefore, it’s not our love in action but His love.
You have a choice to love others or despise others. Have surrendered that certain relationship in your life to God?
