“If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates another brother or sister 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, 10, 11
John is telling us like it is… Christian love isn’t a feeling, but a choice. Do you remember when I talked about loving people who rub us the wrong way? Self sacrifice, selfless giving, respect, reaching beyond our friends to others…We have the power of choice to do all of these things, even if we feel no affection towards someone. This is how we show that we are followers of Christ.
Think about this: You can be the deciding factor that makes someone either turn towards or away from Christ. Have you ever heard someone say, “If that’s what Christianity is all about, then I want no part of Christianity?” That has to break God’s heart!
I didn’t say loving the unlovable is easy. There’s always going to be people we don’t like, but again …we must make a choice not to ignore them, have attitudes towards them, or treat them as enemies or competitors. It’s a hard truth, I know, but the bottom line is this…if we choose to love others, God will help us express that love. Do you believe this?