“THE LOVE OF A FAITHLESS MAN”

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 4:20

Yesterday, we learned that because of the love God demonstrated by sending Jesus to save us, we now have a pattern to follow. We know what love means because He allowed us to experience its true meaning.

In today’s verse, John creates a scenario wherein one claims to love God but hates his brother at the same time. He calls such a person “a liar.” The Greek term used is “pseustēs,” which can be translated as “a false and faithless man.” A liar is not in the truth, as his actions clearly show. With this definition, it wouldn’t be wrong to conclude that such a professor is not a true Christian.

John explains why he said this. A person who has no love for fellow believers whom he has seen cannot truly have a love for God whom he has not seen. Essentially, John is saying that it is impossible to love God if we do not love our brothers.

Sometimes, we hear people say, “This is between me and Jesus; the church is not part of the equation.” “My relationship with God is private; I don’t need people telling me how to worship my God.” These are just two of the most common excuses being thrown to justify one’s lack of love for other believers.

Love for God yields love for others. Since we cannot see God, we prove our love for Him by obeying Jesus’ command to love one another. This love is based on Christ’s sacrificial love for us. We love others not because we benefit from them; we love them because it’s we choose to do so.

My friend, how would you describe your love for others?

Pursue the Savior today!