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)
Loving
The website canadianaffair.com asked Canadians why they love this country. Canadians Dave and Deb, who run the well-known travel blog The Planet D, say, “We love Canada because adventure can be found in every corner. It is so vast and diverse. As outdoor lovers we can’t get enough of it. From ice climbing in Alberta to kayaking on the Bay of Fundy, there is something for everyone. But it’s our wildlife that really gets the blood pumping. Canada is an amazing safari destination…”
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Over and over the Bible tells us that if our faith is real, it will be seen in how we live our lives and love others. This is exactly what the apostle writes in 1 John 4:20: “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.” It is easy for us to say we love God. But as with any relationship, love is proven in the way we live out that relationship. Because God is physically invisible – we see Him through eyes of faith – John reminds us that we are hypocritical if we say that we love God but don’t love the others whom He brings into our lives daily. As followers of Jesus, we should set out each day praying that the Lord will grace us with His love for others so that we might express His love in practical ways. As you pray that prayer, look for ways that you can show God how much you love Him by how well you are loving the people He brings across your path.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley