“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”  (I John 2:9-11)

Hatred and bitterness is a virus within man that will only destroy in the end.

For years I watched a feud unfold between two Christian families–and Pastoral families at that–where hatred of each other was the common venom of conversation.

There are times and seasons when it seems that such hatred takes over entire regions and communities. Those who live within them are so blind to their hate that they do not realize that they are no longer living for God.

They continue calling out for God to revive their church and land in one breath and in the other they are tearing down the church and their neighbor across the street.  They are double-minded, unstable in all of their ways.

These people are more like sorcerers than Christians.  They curse and abuse their fellow man hoping to secure power over them to justify their own wickedness.  If they achieve rank within the community they will be prominent. Those who hurt and abused them in their own minds will have to come to them and make amends with them.  Much like Haaman wanted Mordecai to come to him.

This is not Christianity.  This is pride.  Humility doesn’t care if it is abused.  It doesn’t care if others hate it, revile it or even speak all kinds of nonsense against it.

Love chooses to face such opposition with forgiveness and reconciliation.  Even in moments when true Christians are being tormented, they lay down their earthly rights to revenge.  They seek the path of love and forgiveness like Jesus did on the cross or as Stephen did when he was being stoned to death.

I don’t believe the Lord will contend with this behaviour forever.  Those who continue in it will die in their sin in the end.  They will be very surprised to find themselves in hell and darkness. They will cry out and say to God: “But I did all kinds of service in your name!”

He will look at them with great tears in his eyes and tell them to depart because he never knew them.

If you do not know love, you do not know God.  There is no other way to God but through love.

I can hear someone saying now: “Are you saying that there is another way to God other than Jesus Christ?”

Jesus Christ is love!  When you are seated with Christ you are seated in love.  If you do not repent of your bitterness and anger, you are not in Christ, because in Christ you have given up all your rights to revenge and unforgiveness.  In Christ, Love is the only way.

Would you pray with me today that God would open the eyes of those who are blinded by hatred? Let us ask Him to help them walk out of this toxicity of bitterness and anger and into the arms of love.

If perchance you are holding on to hatred, then this is my prayer for you.