Yesterday we talked about how important it is to not have hatred toward anyone anywhere in order to have fellowship with God. John the apostle said:
He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. 1 John 2:9
Today he shares with us the benefit of abiding in the light when it comes to loving others. In 1 John 2:10 he writes:
He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
In contrast to hating another person, John reveals that loving others benefits us too - “there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” How many times have you, like myself, hit something with your toe in a dark room or ran into something that was not usually in your path when you walk in your home at night? There is a great benefit to seeing. How many times as a child did you stub your toe, especially on concrete, or experienced a fall because you ran into something that was in the way? We all have stumbled at one time or another, but John shares with us that when we love others, there is no occasion for this because we walk in the light.
The primary example of loving rather than hating comes from God Himself. God loves everyone, and His desire is to have a relationship with every person. He has bridged the gap that was separating men and women from Him – sin. Because he loves, He sent His son to die for the sins of all mankind as John wrote in his gospel chapter three verse sixteen:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God who could have easily hated all men for their violations against Him is our example as we relate to others. God forgives. God loves, and God redeems every person who will turn to Him as the true light. When this is done, love replaces hate, and every person, no matter how horrible or hateful they have been, will be seen through the eyes of a Savior who stands ready to keep everyone from stumbling.
Our next lesson will be about blinding hate, so read ahead, and we'll meet together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, find locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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