“Gramma, why is there so much hatred in this world, why do people behave so badly? They pretend to like you, but behind your back they hate you and want to destroy you.”
The old lady, who had also seen the program, knew that it had deeply affected her grand child and recognized that she had to try to help her. She beckoned her to sit with her and as she picked up her trusted bible, said:
“Hate has existed for as long as man has been on earth. It is one of the major weapons that Satan has used, and continues to use, to turn people from God and get control over them. But God has made it clear that he rejects hate in any form. Listen to these words taken from the First Letter of John, Chapter 2, Verses 9-11:”
Anyone who claims to be in the light
but hates a brother or sister,
He is still in the darkness.
Anyone who loves their brother and sister
lives in the light,
and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
But anyone who hates a brother or sister
is in the darkness
and walks around in the darkness.
They do not know where they are going,
because the darkness has blinded them.
“You see, my dear child, God is using light and darkness to teach us the difference. It does not matter what you say or mean, but if there is hatred in your heart you will always be in darkness, walking around aimlessly and blind to the world. But when you have love in your heart your world is clear, there are no obstacles to bring you down. When you live in the light, you do not have to be afraid."
but hates a brother or sister,
He is still in the darkness.
Anyone who loves their brother and sister
lives in the light,
and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
But anyone who hates a brother or sister
is in the darkness
and walks around in the darkness.
They do not know where they are going,
because the darkness has blinded them.
Ana thought for a moment and somewhat confused with the explanation, asked:
“Gramma does that mean that you cannot say that you love God and hate others at the same time?
The old lady nodded affirmatively and replied:
“Indeed that is exactly what I am saying. In fact if you were to read further in the same First Letter of John, Chapter 4, Verse 20, this unequivocally states that you cannot hate a brother and claim to love God at the same time. Let me read it to you:”
If a man says I love God, and hates his brother,
he is a liar:
for if he that loves not his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen?
Ana, now convinced, was able to understand why her father was so upset by the people who expressed their hatred in the TV program. She wondered however, how she should treat these people and asked her grand mother what her attitude should be toward those who hate her. The old lady quickly replied:
he is a liar:
for if he that loves not his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen?
“My dear Ana, God was absolutely clear in what he expects from us. There are references throughout the Bible instructing us to forgive anyone who sins against us. Perhaps the clearest and the strongest statement is found in Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 5, Verse 44:”
But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;
“God did not mince his words to us. We must love and bless our enemies who curse us, and we must pray and do good to those who hate, despise or persecute us. We have no excuse or reason to do otherwise. Perhaps the best advice I can give you my child on this matter, are the words of Almighty God recorded in Proverbs 10, Verse 12."
........"Take these to heart and be guided by them for the rest of your life.”
Hatred stirs up strife:
But love covers all sins.
But love covers all sins.
