Monday, December 31, 2012

Let there be no cause for stumbling

 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-11 ESV


Once again John shows the contrast between darkness and light. In this passage he shows us there is no room for hate in the church. If one does have hatred toward his brother he is lost. He is wandering in darkness.

But, the one that has love for his brother is walking in the light and the light is where God is. He is in the darkness. Only stumbling and hurt are found in the darkness. To be in darkness is to be blind, because hatred blinds.

I have seen hatred within the body of Christ and it is ugly, it brings darkness to the one that hates. It is a darkness that overcomes and overwhelms the one that carries the burden of hatred. Hatred hardens the heart and weakens the spirit. The one that shows hatred toward a member of the Lord's body is showing hatred toward the Lord. In so doing they put themselves out of fellowship with the Lord and His body.

There is no room for hatred within the body of Christ. There is only light and to live in Christ is to live in that light. Light makes everything visible. So, if we cannot see the need to love our brethren we need to step back into the light.

We must never forget; to claim to be a Christian and yet hate a member of Christ' body is to practice hypocrisy. This hypocrisy is visible within the body and without the body. This kind of hypocrisy does great damage to the reputation of the church and the world sees it. When the world sees it they see no need to change the way they live.

Today let's be a light to the world and show love for one another so the world will know we are His.


© 2012 Leo J. Woodman

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