CWW Week 30 - Hatred - Day 2
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Scripture Focus
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
— 1 John 4:20 (NIV)
Devotion
Loving God can feel easier than loving people.
It’s one thing to sing worship songs, pray earnestly, and claim a personal relationship with the Lord. It’s another thing entirely to love that difficult co-worker, the family member who hurt you, or the friend who let you down. But Scripture doesn’t give us the option to separate the two.
In 1 John 4:20, the Apostle John confronts this tension head-on:
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.”
That’s blunt. There’s no wiggle room. If we say we love God but harbour hate for others, we’re deceiving ourselves.
John isn’t talking about small disagreements. He’s addressing hate—a deep, settled hostility that festers in the heart. Hate blinds us. It twists how we see people and how we relate to God.
Why link love for people so closely with love for God?
Because our love for an invisible God is proven by how we treat the visible people made in His image.
It’s easy to love God in theory. But the real test of our faith is in relationships—especially the messy ones. If we can’t love those in front of us, how can we claim to love God?
In Australian culture, we value honesty and having a fair go. But sometimes we also let grudges simmer, or quietly cut people off without saying a word. We may not call it hate, but unforgiveness, contempt, or even indifference can be signs of a heart problem.
God calls us to more—not shallow niceness, but deep, genuine, Christ-like love. A love that forgives. A love that serves. A love that chooses peace over pride.
This kind of love isn’t something we muster up ourselves. It flows from understanding how God has loved us. When we grasp that Jesus gave His life for us while we were still sinners, it becomes harder to justify hate in our own lives.
Loving others doesn’t mean ignoring boundaries or excusing harm. But it does mean refusing to let bitterness rule our hearts. It means choosing mercy, praying for healing, and keeping our hearts open.
You don’t need to do this perfectly. But if you’re willing, God will help you love even the most difficult people in your life. That’s how His love is made visible—through you.
Reflection Questions
- Is there someone I struggle to love right now?
What’s holding me back from showing grace or kindness? - Do I find it easier to claim love for God than to show love to others?
Why might that be? - How would my relationships change if I truly believed every person I meet is made in the image of God?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God,
You’ve loved me with a deep, undeserved, and unshakable love. Yet I admit there are times I’ve harboured hate, resentment, or bitterness toward others. I don’t want to be a person who says I love You but fails to love the people You’ve placed in my life.
Help me to love those who are hard to love. Soften my heart, break down my pride, and fill me with Your compassion. Teach me to see others the way You see them. I want my love for You to be more than words—make it real in how I live.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood
Church Without Walls
