“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath
not seen?” 1 Jn 4:20
It’s easy
to say we love God when that love doesn’t cost us anything more than weekly
attendance at religious services. But the real test of our love for God is how
we treat the people right in front of us. Can’t claim your love for God while
neglecting to love those who are created in His image. Most people reciprocate love; show me how much I mean
to you, and I’ll equally love you back. But, consider the fact that Jesus loved
you first (1 Jn 4:19) before you ever knew Him. Why put preconditions on your
love for another, as if they must earn or qualify for it. Jesus said, your love for another will cover
a multitude of sins (1 Pt 4:8). Again, did not Jesus act of love on the cross
cover a multitude of your sins! God calls us to have warm, ardent love toward
each other, Paul illustrates that Love is more important
than all the spiritual gifts exercised in the church body (1 Cor 13:1). Love to another shall so cover or hide a great
many imperfections in them, that you will not notice them. This passage is
quoted from Pro 10:12; “Love
covereth all sins.” Love makes you compassionate towards another’s imperfections, blind
towards their faults. Of love the Christian poet says: “Tis gentle, delicate, and kind, to faults compassionate or blind.”
To love only the lovable
requires no virtue at all.
HSAY … Todd
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