No room for hate IN love

Hate is a really strong word. Strong dislike, detest, can’t stand, etc… It is what it is. Bad.

I used to say, “I hate people that do…such and such”…

Since becoming a follower of Christ, I’ve learned to say, “I hate… such and such … that people do”. You know, hate the sin, not the sinner. That may be a step in the right direction, but if not careful, it can be a weak caveat from learning to love….really love, like God loves us.

I’m learning (and struggling with) not hating at all. As I pray for God to work with me on this, I’m finding out the vast difference in what I thought love was, versus, what His idea of real Love, IS.

No one said that being a Christian was going to be easy. But real love frees us from debilitating resentment and life-draining bitterness. Not easy, but way more peaceful and satisfying.

Our Father and Creator’s idea – strike that – His embodiment of love is perfect. Pure. Holy. That much I know. Because He doesn’t hate me; He has always loved me. Wow.

My life is living proof of His grace and an ongoing example of His patient and faithful love for me.

I want to be like Him. With His gracious gift of prayer and my faithful obedience, I can be. I will be.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.