1 John 3:11-15

“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”

We live in a world where hatred of others is commonplace. On a day of remembrance, it is easy to fall into the hate of the world for those who have injured others. Is this wrong? Are we not supposed to hate those who hate us? Does this show God’s love? I wish I had easy answers for these questions, but I don’t. When we look at the Word God tells us to love one another and also to love our enemies. This is a hard task to complete. If we show love to those who hate us, does that show God’s love to them? Perhaps that love we show can give them an inkling of hope for their lives and show them there is another way to live. Can you show love to those who hate you?

Dear God, thank you that you love all those who come to you and even those who don’t. Help me to have your heart to love others as you do. Give me your courage to show that love to others. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.