1 John 3:14

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
1 John 3:14


This is an interesting, and strong, analogy... basically saying that if we love, we live and have life, and if we hate, or don't love, that we are walking dead... zombies, basically. ;) I think of all the times in our lives where someone offends us or says something thoughtless... and even when people persecute you on purpose. I think it happens to everyone at some point in life. And if we start hating those people, *they* don't become zombies. *We* do. Just doesn't seem like it fits into the horror-movie code. But it does fit into God's code. Love *is* life, and hatred is death. And for us to live eternally, we need to learn to love eternally... to bless and pray for even those who hurt us or who cruelly use us. It isn't about fair. It isn't about winning or losing... it is only about us, learning what we need to learn to become like God. And he does love... even when we turn our backs on him. Even when we treat others cruelly. Let's take that special treatment that we receive from God and offer it to other people... and who knows. If we start being nicer and really trying to love them, they might turn around a little. But even if they don't... this is about learning to love... not learning to love people who adore us... anyone can do that. But learning to love people, even when they are intent on our death... as Christ did. Let's try that harder lesson today, and be the first to apologize... the first to back down. Let's find ways to love even those people who don't agree with us... without sarcasm or reservation.