Is it possible that those who seem to be enemies in our life were actually put there for a reason? Those who are mean, persecute, lie, cheat, and steal. Those who disappoint and fail us over and over. Why must we suffer at the hands of others, especially those who call themselves Christians?
While wrestling with unloving (or downright hateful) thoughts about others, even brothers or sisters in Christ, I’m realizing the only thing that keeps me sane or free from guilt is to confess and then pray for these people. There is no other way.
Reading through today’s chapters (1 John 3-4) was pretty easy and at first made me feel pretty good about myself. I think about how bad some people are (such as the aforementioned enemies) and how I’m not like them, and “oh how loving I am toward so many.” And then while talking to one of my sons what these enemies have done, I realized I’m also an enemy to some and did the exact same thing as my enemy. I’ve yelled, have been mean, and have been just as selfish (or more) than anyone else.
And in this confession is where peace is found. A release from the guilt. A prayer for my enemy. Gratitude toward my loving Heavenly Father who forgives. Acknowledgement that God first loved us, even when we were HIS enemy through our sin. There is no better feeling than freedom and joy in acknowledging Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected for us.
Today’s reading has a multitude of examples as to God’s loving nature and how we should respond. Here are some of them (paraphrased and some other thoughts along with the chapter and verse):
- He calls us his children. (3:1) Envision God saying to you directly, “You ___(insert name)___ are my child. I am for you. I love you. I am with you. I will never leave you. Rest in my love my child.”
- We heard from the beginning, love one another. (3:11)
- Loving other believers proves we have passed from death to life. (3:14) Like a baptism, death, burial, resurrection.
- Hating a brother or sister in Christ is murder. (3:15) When we think of the worst sins of others, don’t we think of murder? And yet God considers us murderers when we hate. Let us repent and be grateful for the forgiveness that Jesus gives us here. Haven’t we all had this hate at one point?
- Real love: Jesus giving up his life. We must also give up ours. (3:16)
- Love and compassion; giving to others is loving them. (3:17)
- Love is a verb (actions not words). (3:18)
- Love comes from God. (4:7a)
- When we love, we show that we are children of God and that we know him. (4:7b)
- God showed his love by sending Jesus. (4:9)
- Real love (repeated so pay attention)… God loved us before we loved him. The sacrifice of Jesus took away our sins. (4:10)
- We must love others because God loved us. (4:11)
- We show God’s love when we love each other (4:12)
- God is love. (4:16)
- Our love grows more perfect as we live in God (living like Jesus). This removes our fears. (4:17)
- Perfect love removes fear. (4:18)
- Why love others? He loved us first. (4:19)
- We make ourselves liars when we hate our fellow believers. (4:20)
- It is a commandment to love other believers. (4:21)
Ask God to reveal in your heart of anyone whom you might have hateful feelings for. Confess of this, then pray for this person (or people). You may find that your change of heart will be noticeable in the lives of your enemies and friends, and in turn may influence a change of heart on their side as well. I am starting to see this in some of my own relationships that are “under repair” and it is transformational.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. (1 John 4:18)