1 John 4:20-21 (New King James Version)
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can[a] he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
I find myself chasing at God’s coat tails a lot. He’s like the coolest kid in school and I’m that kid who’s always sniping at the others who want to share in His light. God, I confess what you already know: I conceal a hateful heart when it comes to those around me. It doesn’t matter if I’m driving or watching television, there’s something I don’t like about people whom I’ve never met. Why!? It’s the most ridiculous thing ever to dislike someone like that! Even those who would do something to us directly we are taught to “turn the other cheek.” I, however, have made it a point to find something, anything at all, to be mad about. Why do I do this? For a long time, I have been building anger within me. It’s a sin that I have scarcely looked into and now that I am, I find no good reason for it. Pent up angst at not being where I am, I suppose. God wants me to trust in Him! Doing that, there’s nothing to be hateful of or mad at. Well, one can be mad, but for the right reason. This empty anger masks something deeper, something has to fill the hole in me. Right? NO! Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Seek Him and be filled!
God, I pray that those times when I find myself welling up with unreasonable hatred are instead turned toward you. Pray that I am blessed with a spirit of amity and brotherhood, where I can be alive in you, Lord God. Amen.
Filed under: 1 john, fellowship, prayer, verse
