I once knew a woman from our church community whom I really detested. Although gifted and attractive, she often said some very unkind and condemning things to others. I avoided her, and I wasn't the only one to do so. It really bothered me when she unleashed her vitriolic attack on a shy, quiet person who wouldn't speak back in self-defence. Many years later, I think back on her with distaste, yet in reading God's Word in 1 John, I am convicted by my lack of love for her.

1 John 2:7-11 – Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (NKJV)

John speaks of the love of Jesus, Whom we are to imitate, transcending any love ever shown. His love includes every person whom we will meet in this life! This holy love is possible only by Jesus' finished work on the cross, His life given for ours, so that we can love like He did. John is holding us up to a holy standard: the way that we love other Christians is a measure of our walk with the Lord. How we respond to sin and obedience determines our level of fellowship with God, but so does our love for His people.

If we can't love one another, it affects our own experience of God's love. We can do all the right things and believe all the right teachings, but if we can't love other people, our relationship with God is in danger. When I think back to my experience with this Christian woman, I now grieve that my attitude toward her affected my relationship with the Lord, but I was blind to it. My walk with God would have been so much more joyful and rewarding if I had responded to her with kindness in Christian love.

Is there someone in your church fellowship or community who is hard to love? Have life's experiences beaten and scarred that person into a crusty, unattractive individual whom people avoid? Only the love and sacrifice of Jesus make it possible to live the life of love that He did, and empowers us to love the unlovely. I pray that you can demonstrate this holy love for others, and be welcomed into a closer fellowship with our Lord.

Prayer: We thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your life of love that we are to imitate as we love Your children in Your church body. Heal our blindness and darkness, and guide us into the fellowship that You long to have with us. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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