NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION

Overcoming hate is the theme for our reflection. Hate is an emotional expression of strong dislike and enmity borne out of bitterness and anger towards someone or a group people. Overcoming hate means to defeat or to become better in the management of strong emotions of dislike for others. We shall reflect on the fact that love overcomes hate.

Beloved in the Lord, anger leads to bitterness and bitterness begets hatred. These are all emotional phases we go through when someone or group of people offend us. To overcome hate, which is the result or by-product of bitterness or unforgiveness, we must allow love to lead and govern our emotions. It is for this reason, we are greatly admonished by Apostle John that, “Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. “But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:10-11) In other words, bitterness leads to unforgiveness. We refuse to forgive because we have reached the stage of bitterness, hatred and retaliation or malicious intent against others who have offended us. We must remember that in the past we were in the darkness of hostility and sin but ““… God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16). It is God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ that has brought us into the light of salvation or eternal life, hence John revealed to us that “In him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5). It goes to reason that anyone who is in Christ is in the light of God because God first loved and forgave him or her.

Dear friend, to overcome hate simply means we are to always remember that we are products of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness and have become children of the light, therefore, we demonstrate the same love, mercy and forgiveness to those who offend us. While those in darkness get angry, become bitter and hate with passion, we those who are in the light must do otherwise, it is for this reason, Paul admonished us that “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27). Indeed, so long as we are human beings with emotions we shall by all means get angry when we are offended but the difference between a person in darkness and a person in the light is that while the person in the darkness becomes easily bitter and filled with hate and malice, a person in the light, sees beyond the anger, demonstrate Christ’s unconditional love, mercy and seeks to reconcile with his or her offender. Paul, further teaches us practical ways of overcoming hate as children of the light when he wrote, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12: 17-21).

Dear friend in the Lord, at the second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ only those who are in the light shall be saved. Haters or revilers according to 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. May this Advent reflection awaken us to reality that love and forgiveness overcomes bitterness and hatred. Again, it is important to note love is God’s commandment for us if we desire to remain children of the light and become partakers in His heavenly Kingdom at the second advent of Jesus Christ. It for this reasom we are greatly admonished by Paul to “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Roman 13:8-10). Beloved in the Christ, to overcome hate and remain genuine children of the light and true disciple of Jesus at His second Advent, we must obey His commandment of love, ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35). I humbly appeal to you as a child of the light and true disciple of Christ to love and forgive all those who have offended you in many ways. Let this reflection of Advent bring you healing and total emotional and spiritual restoration. Let us alway remember that God’s Love made us who we are in Christ, therefore, we must always allow this love to lead in our relationship with others including those who offend us.

In summary, we have reflected on theme “overcoming hate” We have discovered that love overcomes hate. May the love of God fill our hearts even in times of anger and bitterness so that we shall overcome hate and remain the children of the light.

PRAYER

Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, may we be filled with Your love so that in times of anger and bitterness, we shall overcome hate with Your words, ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to remain children of the light even as we await Your second Advent. Amen.