It is common now for people to say I hate you, isn't it? It may be due to the fact that the statement was birthed out of anger or maybe they do not understand the consequences of that which they say. This is now common amongst family members, friends, brethren in Church, and on. In fact, we may have to say that they do not care about the effect of such statements on them and on the people to which they make such statements. Glory to God.
The hatred Cain had for Abel was that which led him to kill his own brother. That is how much power it can have on the one who allows it in his heart. Cain could think of nothing else to do than to murder his own brother, why? It was simply because the sacrifice of his brother was accepted and his was not. Cain as a result of hatred was walking in darkness but could not see, or maybe didn't want to see because the hatred for Abel had blinded his eyes (Genesis 4). This trait should not be exhibited amongst believers.
Let me however make something clear that we are to have hatred for iniquity just as God hates iniquity, and all forms of unrighteousness but not to develop this towards our fellow brethren. That which has been caused as a result of this cannot be fully explained as nations have been affected by it, families have been affected by it, Churches have been affected by it. Hatred gives room for darkness and this is what we must understand. Let's see the passage of scripture below,
"Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. [8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. [9] He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. [10] He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. [11] But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (1 John 2:7-11).
The apostle John began by saying to them that what he had written to them was not a new commandment because it had been with them from the very beginning, that is, the word which they had heard from the very beginning. In verse 8, he says again that a new commandment he was writing to them which thing is true in him and in them and this he was writing because the darkness is now past and the true light shines. One may ask why he said it was not a new commandment and then said it was a new commandment. Well, this may suffice, perhaps what he had in mind was that he wasn't writing anything new to them because it was already available to them but for the fact the he was now writing to them again, they may have to take it as something new but the very fact remained that even what they considered new had always been with them. Amen.
He then begins in verse 9 to address a particular situation which was centered on hate and love. That the proof of one who claims to walk in the light is in the fact that such a one loves his brother but if he hates his brother, it means that such a person is in darkness even until the time of his writing. He who loves his brother abides in the light and there's no occasion of stumbling in him which means that he would never come to a point of wanting to do that which is against the nature at work in him, like having to kill his brother just like Cain did, why? Simply because of the love he has for him.
However, he who hates is brother is in darkness ( he lives in it because he never does anything for the good of the one he hates), and walks in darkness not knowing where he goes because the darkness has blinded his eyes. He sees no other thing to do but evil. He thinks no other thing to do but evil. Cain is a very good example; he killed his brother out of hatred. Your brother in this case is not just one who is biologically related to you but everyone who has connection with you one way or the other be it a friend, a church member most especially those of the household of faith in Christ Jesus. Do you love or hate thy brother? Are you living in the light or has darkness blinded your eyes? The Lord cause his word to dwell richly in our hearts. Amen.
Thought for the day
No one does anything good out of hate and you cannot claim to walk in the light when you hate another. Let brotherly love continue.
Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].
Post a Comment
Please drop a comment and use the Social Media Buttons below to share to friends and family.