“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20 NIV
John doesn’t mince words: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother or sister, he is a liar.” What a statement! John has used this word “liar” before in this letter. In 1 John 2:4, he said this, “Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” In 1 John 2:22, “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.” Each of these references refers to various tests that John has put forward concerning our relationship with God, in Jesus Christ. The first one is a moral test, the second is a doctrinal test and now the last one a social test of love. John’s argument is that we cannot separate the two great commandments. It is easier to say, “I love God,” because God is invisible and love for Him may be difficult to observe. But Jesus said (John 14:15), “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” His main commandment is that we love one another (John 13:34; 15:12). John is saying that genuine love for God necessarily will show itself in observable love for others. If we don’t practise sacrificial, committed love for others, we are revealing that we do not really love God. But John is not done. He knows that it is easy to make up excuses for our lack of love: “I’ve tried, but this person is impossible to love.” More tomorrow…
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, may our love for You be expressed in our love for others.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, we confess and repent that when we don’t practise sacrificial, committed love for others, we are revealing that we do not really love You. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Genesis 8:13-22
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