By Lisa Wilmore
Dear Hearts,
Do you truly love the ones whom you worship with on Sunday morning? What is your heart’s posture toward God’s people when you see them? Is there something on the inside of you that burns with a certain distaste for individuals until it interrupts your worship with God? Could it be that your love for them is nonexistent? If so, that’s a problem, and we must handle this matter as quickly as possible.
Interestingly, while watching this 1995 fiction movie, in one of the scenes, one of the characters was in a debate with others about the global economy and what it would take to help the American people. During her dialogue with policy makers and others, the character said something that penetrated my heart. She asked, “How can you love America but can’t stand Americans?” At that moment, I heard what she said, but my mindset went a little deeper. I thought, “How can we love Christ, but hate Christians?” (Selah-stop and think). How can people proclaim the Lord’s name, worship every Sunday morning, and declare to love Jesus Christ with all their hearts, but do not love the one who sits next to them or across the isle on another pew in the same church? Well, according to the Word of God, it is impossible.
God’s Word declares to us that “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (I John 4:20 NKJV). Please note that these are not my words. These are the WORDs of God written by the beloved John the apostle but inspired by God (All scripture is given by inspiration of God…2 Timothy 3:16). In addition, the apostle John addresses this clearly in this same Book when He affirms, that “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. (1 John 4:12-16 NLT). In other words, our love for fellow believers is visible evidence of God’s presence within us. If we claim we love Christ yet harbor hatred toward our brothers and sisters, something is spiritually wrong. (Selah).
Factually, when we love Christ, it simply means that we love Christians. Our character and actions toward them reveal the heart of Christ who lives on the inside of us. Therefore, when we forgive, encourage, pray for, and serve one another, we demonstrate that Christ truly lives in us
Dear hearts, let us examine ourselves. If God loved us while we were yet sinners, surely, we can love those who share in His saving grace. “Loving Christ means loving Christians”, and when we do, others will see Him through the light we give.
I love you with the Heart of Jesus Christ!
Jesus Saves!
