Who Claims to be in the Light
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister …
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, a warm welcome in his precious name !
There are some things that we easily give amiss in our daily lives. And out of them “hatred” is one such thing. Hatred means to have a strong negative feeling towards another person. Although many recognize it as something we should not have, it is also necessary for us to hate what God hates. The Bible condemns hatred for other people, but encourages to love our enemies. As the below verses from the Book of Leviticus says, we should not hate even in our heart. Therefore, we shall not let ourselves to hate our fellow brothers, not necessarily only the believers, but all the people.
‘ “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord . ‘
Leviticus 19:17-18
So brethren, as the beloved children of God we are to love our neighbors like ourselves. Even more, in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus commanded us not only to love our enemies but also pray for those who persecute us. Our Lord showed us by praying for those who were nailing him to the cross.
‘ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ‘
Matthew 5:43-45
Finally by doing these, we shall become the sons of the Heavenly Father and truly walk in the light in Jesus’ matchless name.
Amen.