Because relationships matter most of all #4: no room for hate

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 1 John 2:3-11

There’s no room for hate. This passage makes that very clear. Really, there’s nothing to add to what John has set out here, but you know me, I always have something to say!

Firstly, this passage is addressed to fellow believers. It’s not saying we have to love everyone – I imagine we’ll come to that at some later point! In the NIV, this section is entitled – Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers. – so let’s start there. That should be easy, right? Loving all those who follow Jesus. We’re all on the same page going in the same direction. What’s not to love? Well, have you been part of any Christian church or community recently? Some people are hard to love. Some people say things to hurt us and our instinct is to hurt them back. We can get easily offended by careless words. We can judge and be judged. It’s not an easy world to navigate. And then there are all those around the world calling themselves Christians who are living out their faith in ways we struggle to understand. We get angry. We speak out (and I’m not saying speaking out is wrong, but the attitude of our hearts that is in question). And the strength of our emotions is in danger of turning into hatred.

There are no excuses. No good reasons to hate anyone. Remember Jesus’ command – love God and love others as you love yourself. That’s what John is referring to here. Notice there is no room for hating yourself either. That command supersedes all the others. Strive to keep this command and the rest will follow.

If we want to call ourselves a Christian, we have to live as Jesus did. He is the ultimate role model for our lives. If you’re not sure what that looks like, then familiarise yourself with Jesus’ life on earth again. The context is different, but the attitude needs to be the same. There’s a movement around called Red Letter Christians. In their Bible, every word of Jesus is in red. It stands out from all the rest. They’re calling us to prioritise the words and teaching of Jesus in this time when many Christians have lost sight of how Jesus lived. These people are labelled trouble makers and liberal activists because they question the status quo – that seems pretty much in line with how Jesus lived!

Feelings of hatred soon lead us off into the darkness. They affect us and our relationship with God and others as much as they affect the object of our hatred (more so). In the darkness, we stumble around and lose sight of where we are going. Letting go of hurt and hatred and embracing love and forgiveness is super hard but it’s the only way to emerge into the light again.

The true light is already shining.

Love for God (and others) can be made truly complete in you and me.