My Facebook feed is filled with hate - mostly about people. Ranging from articles bashing the Ferguson protestors (and no, I'm not on their side) to articles bashing the Duggar's for the number of kids they have (and yes, I secretly love the Duggar's) to posts ranting about a teacher or coach to someone complaining about their significant other. Some may see it as sharing a viewpoint or voicing their opinion, maybe even sharing a funny story. But, let's be real. It's hate. Plain and simple.
If I had the courage, I would remove the Facebook app from my phone. But the withdrawal may just kill me. I would unfollow people who spread hate like wildfire, but then I wouldn't know it was happening. And my heart wouldn't break for it. Someone's heart needs to break for it, may as well be mine.
1 John 4:16..."so we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
1 John 4:19..."we love because He first loved us."
1 John 4:20..."if anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
1 John 4:21..."And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
John loves to talk love. We need to hear it. Especially today. John's teachings of love is one of the most relevant topics I've studied lately. We need to love. Not just any love. We can only love because God loved us. Those who do not love their brother (teacher, neighbor, family, stranger) don't love God. Love is perfected in the Christian. The lover of God. No one else.
I'm guilty of complaining about people. Guilty of harboring bitterness against another person. Guilty of spreading a juicy bit of gossip. Guilty of rolling my eyes when someone I'm not a huge fan of begins to talk. Hate. All of it.
Stop hating - I say this to myself. Stop saying you love God and then proving yourself a liar through your words or actions (or Facebook posts). Seek the love that has been perfected in you through the life, death and resurrection of Christ (1 John 4:17). Think before you post that article condemning another person. Think before you post a negative comment about anyone. Anyone. Especially the really-hard-to-love-people. Because they need it the most.
I am guilty. I have hated. I'm sure I'll struggle with hate again. But I'm also seeking to be a witness of the love that is continually being perfected in me. My social media presence will not be a way for someone to find me a liar, who says she loves God but hates people. I pray that I'll be a light in the darkness, instead of a voice who adds to the hate. Would you bring light into the darkness as well?
If I had the courage, I would remove the Facebook app from my phone. But the withdrawal may just kill me. I would unfollow people who spread hate like wildfire, but then I wouldn't know it was happening. And my heart wouldn't break for it. Someone's heart needs to break for it, may as well be mine.
1 John 4:16..."so we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
1 John 4:19..."we love because He first loved us."
1 John 4:20..."if anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
1 John 4:21..."And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
John loves to talk love. We need to hear it. Especially today. John's teachings of love is one of the most relevant topics I've studied lately. We need to love. Not just any love. We can only love because God loved us. Those who do not love their brother (teacher, neighbor, family, stranger) don't love God. Love is perfected in the Christian. The lover of God. No one else.
I'm guilty of complaining about people. Guilty of harboring bitterness against another person. Guilty of spreading a juicy bit of gossip. Guilty of rolling my eyes when someone I'm not a huge fan of begins to talk. Hate. All of it.
Stop hating - I say this to myself. Stop saying you love God and then proving yourself a liar through your words or actions (or Facebook posts). Seek the love that has been perfected in you through the life, death and resurrection of Christ (1 John 4:17). Think before you post that article condemning another person. Think before you post a negative comment about anyone. Anyone. Especially the really-hard-to-love-people. Because they need it the most.
I am guilty. I have hated. I'm sure I'll struggle with hate again. But I'm also seeking to be a witness of the love that is continually being perfected in me. My social media presence will not be a way for someone to find me a liar, who says she loves God but hates people. I pray that I'll be a light in the darkness, instead of a voice who adds to the hate. Would you bring light into the darkness as well?
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