1st John 4:20-21
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Quickword: The Truth of Love
Some of the most hurtful and dissappointing times in my life have been those occasions when I realized that someone whom I thought or believed was truly a friend or brother in reality did not have my best interest at hand. You see for me that’s the test of Love. This text in 1st John asks a significant question. The question being, how can one say I love God and hate his brother, how can one love God whom he has not seen and hate his brother whom he has seen. The writer of this text plainly states that person is a liar.
- Every person who professes to love God is not being truthful.
- Every person who professes to love God, their true identity is exposed by how he or she treats a fellow brother or sister in Christ.
- Every person who loves God must also love his brother and sister.
The word love is tossed around very loosely without regard to its meaning and responsibility. Yes, the love of another person carries a significant amount of responsibility. We cannot love God and not carry the responsibility of ensuring the least among us are taking care of. Since we love God, no child in America should go to bed without having a meal. Since we love God, no person should be homeless. Since we love God, no person should be without adequate health care. Since we love God, my brother and sister we should take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of one another. Since we love God, we want to ensure everyone has the same rights as others regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation; If we say we love God and don’t demonstrate the love of our brothers and sisters, we are exposed, because we fail the test of love. The truth of our Love will be made known. The next time you say to someone that you love them, understand the true meaning and the responsibility that comes with that promise. Let us ensure that we are being truthful to one another and more importantly to God!
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