I John 4:20 NKJV
“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 he love God whom he has not seen?”
I John 4:20 NKJV
God is love.
The love that John is talking about is the reflection of God. John is not talking about love like the world believes in.
They believe to love evil, love sin and condone everything under the sun and moon.
The love in this verse is the love that reflects God’s righteousness, mercy, grace, favour, justice, and peace.
People who say that they love God means they have chosen to be in God, chosen to live according to His character, and will express the unconditional love to each other.
John taught us that we become a liar if we say we love God but do not manifest that love to others.
Many believers know what God’s word says but because of what people have done or things they have said, they hold back that love and some even go to the extent to hate them.
When we hate someone, we have chosen to step out of God’s character and function in our pain and sorrows.
We know nothing good is going to come out of dwelling in hurt, pain, and sorrow.
Instead, if we turn to God and see how much He has loved us and continues to love us even though we have messed up so many times, we then will start to love each other in the same measure God has loved us.
Love is life.
It restores, refreshes, and empowers people to go far and beyond our strength and power.
Everyone around us is there for God’s love to be shared. If we can’t love those whom God placed around us, how can we say that we love God?
We don’t realise that we have been lying to ourselves and to God the moment we hate someone.
As believers, we need to hold on to God who is Love. Hold on to Him as the backbone of our life. Live in love, move in love, and have our being in love.
Let us love each other with the same measure of love which Jesus loved us.
Blessings
Ps Ambrose