We Love God?

“Beloved, we love God because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.” (1 John 4:19-5:4)

Hate is a strong emotion overwhelming all other frames of mind.  Hate-speech implies no love of God.  Unfortunately, The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that hate speech is legally protected free speech under the First Amendment.  Ironically and tragically, legal hate speech can lead to illegal hate crimes.  Hatemongers do not love God.

“Those who love God must also love his [her] brother [sister].”  If this is true, then very few of us love God despite Church attendance and a prayerful life.  Too many of us don’t love our brothers and sisters as evidenced by our biases, prejudices, intolerance, and racist behaviors.

We all are guilty in one way or another.  After all, we’re human.   Fortunately, our God is forgiving.  God created us.  We are children of God – children that throw tantrums, are ungrateful, and are name-callers.   God’s patience is everlasting.    Thank God.

Deacon David Pierce