“If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:9-11‬ ‭NLT

The number one characteristic of a child of God is the love that is present in their lives. When Jesus is truly Lord of our lives we are able to love others, even our enemies. Matthew 5:44 says “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” NLT‬‬

When we claim to know and love Jesus - yet hate someone - we lie.

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We think of a murderer as someone who has literally killed someone in cold blood. However, God says that we are a murderer if we hate a fellow man. Let me clarify one thing: There is a clear difference between hating someone's evil actions and hating them. We must hate evil! We must not hate the person!! God loves those who choose to reject Him. If they go to an eternal hell, they will do so in opposition to His love. May God help us to be like Christ Jesus and love. This is hard to do when someone is your enemy or is caught up in wickedness. The reality is that none of us deserve the Love of God! When we reflect on the sheer reality of how God loves us it will help us keep in perspective how we are to love others. Only the Holy Spirit can give us the Love of God. In Galatians 5:22 the scriptures declare that love is the first attribute of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can love others like Jesus did. Only then will we have the divine power to love as God loves.

Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can love others like you do.