1 John 2:9–10
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Can we say with our mouth we walk in the Light of God? Can we say we love God and hate our brothers and sisters in Christ. It may be we would never say, “I hate my brother”, “I just don’t like him,” “I don’t know how to get along with him.”
Jesus is our perfect example of love. The only way we can really love others is to walk in the light of Jesus. Jesus reveals the light of love to us. We are to love even our enemies.
God calls us to do the impossible. Jesus says in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:1–3 “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
As followers of Christ, WE ARE TO LOVE. Yes, God calls us to do the impossible. John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
James 4:11-12 came across my Scripture search. James 4:11–12 “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?”
Think of the words you use in talking about others. Are they to build up or to tear down? Are they to advance your agenda, or to advance God’s agenda? Are they Words of love or hate?