Bible Snack #83

​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 (1 John 4:20)?
 
Just who is it that we hate? I have a sister who hates me. Fortunately, the other one loves me amply, but that other one, well, I don’t know what to do about that. I’ve apologized for the things I did to her as a child. She was the kind that could and would cry at the drop of a hat, so I made sure she cried every day. She also claims I saved her life one time, and for that she will be eternally grateful, yet she still keeps her distance.
 
Do we hate the ones from whom we are estranged? I know there are many that I purposefully avoid. I believe it is okay if we protect ourselves from those who delight in abusing us, but do we protect or are we practicing vengeance? What does God think about this issue?
 

To Him there is no middle ground, no gray area—it’s right or wrong, light or dark, love or hate. The rule has to be: if you can see someone, you must love that someone. All ugliness has to fall off our hearts, and we must turn to that one with obvious love. It all reverts to our Father. If we hate one of His children, or even one He created but not yet adopted into the family, then we hate Him. Let your love for Him spill over onto every one of His creation. He’ll be grateful for that.