“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20 (KJV)
Yesterday, we learned that love is not just a feeling; love is a person, and that person is God Almighty. He loves Himself. The easiest thing is to say you love God, but you cannot tolerate those around you. No one seems to get it right. You are that person that is so easily irritated, and your tolerance level is near zero but you claim you love God. Don’t deceive yourself; loving God must be seen in the way you relate with those around you.
Our scripture for today makes it very clear that if you truly love God, then the way to show it is in your relationship with people. Your life must radiate the love of God to those around you. Now, do not attempt to sell me that lie from the pit of hell, “Bro. Mike, that is the way I am”. Have you heard that before? Or have you also said it before? Because you are not ready to work on yourself to radiate the love of God, you want to compel others to tolerate you with the phrase “that is who I am”. I thought you said you are now in Christ. I thought you said you are a new creature. So, if that is the case, be intentional to be the Jesus the world is seeing.
Now this is not to say you do not have principles or anything goes; no. You can see balance in the life of Jesus, there is a time to pamper and there is a time to rebuke but overall, let the love of Christ show through the way you relate with your neighbour. Let me take it a step further when you love people, you will not run them down, gossiping, backbiting, and backstabbing will not be there. Love is what the world needs, and our God is love. Go into the world and radiate that love.
Further Reading: 1 John 4:12 – 21
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Exodus 29-30; Evening- Matthew 21:23-46
