Wasting FaithSample

DAY 6: HATRED

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. [1 John 2:9-11, ESV]

Nothing will prevent the joy of the Lord from filling your heart quite like having a heart filled with hatred for others. James 3:11-12 describes exactly why we cannot have hatred in our hearts if we want to receive all that God promises to those who love Him:

Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salad pond yield fresh water. [James 3:11-12, ESV]

1 Corinthians 13 is all about the necessity of love, how love is pure, how love is everlasting, and how love is more important than faith and hope. The word “love” is translated from the Greek word “agape” (ἀγάπη), which is where the term “agape love” comes from. Agape love is a type of love that is entirely selfless, humble, forgiving, and everlasting.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Corinthians 13:7, ESV]

If you hold hatred in your heart, it will be impossible for you to take full advantage of your faith. God is love, and He does everything in love. He sent His Son to die for us because He loves us; He loves when we are close to Him; and He loves us in general. God corrects us in love, restores us in love, and tells us to love others more than we love ourselves. If God loves us unconditionally, who are we to hate others?

If you have any hatred in your heart, pray for God to help you. Ask God to remove the hatred from your heart; pray that He gives you a heart that is filled with love, and when He gives you that heart of love, share that love with others. Never cease doing good; never cease showing love and kindness to others; and give glory to God always.

REFLECT:

1. Do you hold any kind of hatred or resentment in your heart? How can you get rid of those feelings and fill your heart with love?
2. Where does love come from?
3. Have you ever experienced the peace that comes with God filling your heart with love for others? How did that peace affect your life?