1 John 4:20
If anyone says, "I love God," but keeps
on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn't love his brother
who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has
never seen?
The Living
Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
Last week as we drove to the gas
station, Timothy was seated in the back of the vehicle, and he began to
make loud, silly noises. I asked him to stop. He persisted. Suddenly
from the middle row seating, I heard Zola say, “Timothy! Do you want
her to turn this car around and take you home?” Timothy did not
answer. Then I heard almost-three-year-old Nathan chime in…”Well…DO
you?” The noises stopped…and I could barely contain my laughter to
drive. In that little snippet of conversation, I realized how our
children truly see us. It’s true…if you listen, your children will tell
you how you really sound!
Our children learn at an early age to
mirror our thoughts and feelings. So a lot of us grow up with prejudice
– and even hatred – that is really not our own, but rather that of our
parents, other adults, society, and our peers. We learn to dislike
people of another race…but our justifications make no sense. We lump
people into collective groups…as in “THEY are all this way or that”…or
“I do not like the XYZs or the PDQs”. When truly questioned about our
reasoning…we have no explanation that is rooted in personal experience –
or one that makes much sense.
I ask you…what injustice or
“wrong” has been personally done to you by someone of another race or
ethnicity? Why do you have such a disdain for people whose sexual
orientation is different from yours? What’s it to you if a person
practices another religion – or no religion at all? Did another
person’s poverty or lack of education or opportunity cause you to
literally miss a meal or a chance to be and do whatever you wanted with
your own life? How are you personally and directly affected by another
person’s race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, political
preference, or sexual orientation?
If we are honest, we often
don’t really know the people we disparage. We start out parroting what
we have heard from others…and soon we have internalized it. The next
thing you know, we are posting social media references to “God and
Country” one minute…and spewing hate and venom toward a particular
person or group in the next…and we see no problem with this!
I
have to tell you, I am struggling these days to find my “church,”
because a lot of people with whom I’ve worshipped and associated with
for decades are schizophrenic. They SAY they love God and want to serve
Him…they never hesitate to ask for prayer – or to offer to pray for
someone else. They “serve” in ministries and give of their “time,
talents and money.” And then they bash everyone from people on welfare
and those in the LBGTQ community to our president and his cabinet…and
anyone they deem to have a different opinion from theirs – in any
arena. Worse yet, they excuse this behavior by falsely assuming that
everyone else agrees with them…especially God.
I’m giving some of
us an “out” by blaming our upbringing and environment. But it’s time
we all grew up! The time has come to give our thoughts and ideas a
thorough examination in light of God’s word…to see where we have made
decisions and comments that offend not only a person or a group, but God
Almighty…to ask God to show us how to operate in the love of Christ and
kick the devil’s hatred to the curb. We are not a four-year-old
echoing her parents’ admonition to an older brother. And we are most
certainly not echoing the voice of our Heavenly Father. But we need to
be…and the shift in attitude can begin today.
Will you spend
some time with God and ask Him to correct your thinking? Will this be
the day that you begin to live, speak and act in a way that says, “I
KNOW the Father Whom I have not seen…and I love because He first loved
me?” Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label hatred. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hatred. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 23, 2013
1 John 3:14-15
The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know very well that eternal life and murder don’t go together.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I really enjoy Facebook… most of the time. This social media venue is great for keeping up with our friends’ daughter and grandchildren – and my cousins – who live in northwest Arkansas. I’ve reconnected with cousins in Texas that I have not seen since childhood. I can share photos of my niece’s three babies with family members and friends who live out of town and rarely, if ever get to see them. We can see pictures of our great nieces and nephew who live in Tennessee and Missouri. AND…I can keep up with former students from Texas to Iowa to Japan, relatives and friends scattered all over the country… and I can even participate in some online garage sales!
However, I have to wade through some pretty nasty posts a lot of the time. This venue has provided some people with a platform for spewing venom and hatred… and more than a few have thoroughly honed their skills. The worst part is that many of these people spout hatred in one breath… and claim Jesus in the next!
We all need to take a good, hard look at 1 John 3:14-15 today. Do you see the line that says “anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer”? Do you get that when you speak so insufferably about another human being – and encourage your “friends” to join you – that you are as good as wishing them dead? Where in the life of a Christian does this fit? How did you become an officer in the courts of Heaven?
We all have the right of free speech… and the liberty to have - and voice - our opinions. But we cannot claim the name of Jesus and harbor hatred in our heart…even if we never speak it aloud or post a comment on a social media outlet. The minute you start to feel anything that approaches loathing toward another living soul, you need to stop in your tracks and ask God to strengthen you… to give you a spirit if love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and tolerance.
If someone behaves in a way you do not like, talk to God about it. Don’t ask Him to correct this person – you are not the judge and jury. Ask God to touch this person’s heart… to guide him/her according to HIS will… to give them a spirit of receptiveness to His wisdom and teachings. And ask God to give you a spirit of love and acceptance… maybe not of the person’s behaviors – but most certainly of the person.
I know this is hard… we have become a society of haters, it seems. “Oh, but I don’t HATE anybody,” you may say. And maybe you don’t. But you have to admit that we have all found it pretty easy to embrace – and sometimes express – some pretty awful thoughts about others. I don’t want to operate this way… I don’t want to have murderous thoughts or feelings… and that’s exactly what scripture says a spirit of hatred encompasses.
This is really heady stuff, and we need to stop today and take a moment to consider how we think and feel… where we have fallen short of the tremendous power that God grants us through His gifts of grace, mercy and forgiveness. We need to revisit His command to love one another and share these gifts with those in our path. Are you operating in a spirit of hatred? Are you, in essence, a murderer? Don’t you want to change this? Ask God to help you begin your transformation TODAY! Transfer from death to life and operate in the love of Jesus toward everyone. Don’t be one of “those people.” Instead, choose a genuine, loving life in Christ… and let grace, mercy and tolerance of others be your constant hallmark.
©2013 Debbie Robus
The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know very well that eternal life and murder don’t go together.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I really enjoy Facebook… most of the time. This social media venue is great for keeping up with our friends’ daughter and grandchildren – and my cousins – who live in northwest Arkansas. I’ve reconnected with cousins in Texas that I have not seen since childhood. I can share photos of my niece’s three babies with family members and friends who live out of town and rarely, if ever get to see them. We can see pictures of our great nieces and nephew who live in Tennessee and Missouri. AND…I can keep up with former students from Texas to Iowa to Japan, relatives and friends scattered all over the country… and I can even participate in some online garage sales!
However, I have to wade through some pretty nasty posts a lot of the time. This venue has provided some people with a platform for spewing venom and hatred… and more than a few have thoroughly honed their skills. The worst part is that many of these people spout hatred in one breath… and claim Jesus in the next!
We all need to take a good, hard look at 1 John 3:14-15 today. Do you see the line that says “anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer”? Do you get that when you speak so insufferably about another human being – and encourage your “friends” to join you – that you are as good as wishing them dead? Where in the life of a Christian does this fit? How did you become an officer in the courts of Heaven?
We all have the right of free speech… and the liberty to have - and voice - our opinions. But we cannot claim the name of Jesus and harbor hatred in our heart…even if we never speak it aloud or post a comment on a social media outlet. The minute you start to feel anything that approaches loathing toward another living soul, you need to stop in your tracks and ask God to strengthen you… to give you a spirit if love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and tolerance.
If someone behaves in a way you do not like, talk to God about it. Don’t ask Him to correct this person – you are not the judge and jury. Ask God to touch this person’s heart… to guide him/her according to HIS will… to give them a spirit of receptiveness to His wisdom and teachings. And ask God to give you a spirit of love and acceptance… maybe not of the person’s behaviors – but most certainly of the person.
I know this is hard… we have become a society of haters, it seems. “Oh, but I don’t HATE anybody,” you may say. And maybe you don’t. But you have to admit that we have all found it pretty easy to embrace – and sometimes express – some pretty awful thoughts about others. I don’t want to operate this way… I don’t want to have murderous thoughts or feelings… and that’s exactly what scripture says a spirit of hatred encompasses.
This is really heady stuff, and we need to stop today and take a moment to consider how we think and feel… where we have fallen short of the tremendous power that God grants us through His gifts of grace, mercy and forgiveness. We need to revisit His command to love one another and share these gifts with those in our path. Are you operating in a spirit of hatred? Are you, in essence, a murderer? Don’t you want to change this? Ask God to help you begin your transformation TODAY! Transfer from death to life and operate in the love of Jesus toward everyone. Don’t be one of “those people.” Instead, choose a genuine, loving life in Christ… and let grace, mercy and tolerance of others be your constant hallmark.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 20, 2012
Matthew 5:21-26
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are two things in our culture that seem to bring out the worst in people… sporting events and political elections! In both cases, people who claim to be obedient, filled-with-grace Christians give the impression that they are filled with anger. Name calling looks as if it is second nature. The refs are “idiots.” Candidates are called names I cannot even repeat. And the level of pure hatred that appears to emanate from every pore of many is disconcerting at best – and downright scary in some cases. You’ve heard the phrase, “If looks could kill, I’d be dead!” I’ve seen that look in the eyes of more than one person who was upset over a bad call at a ballgame – or those of someone speaking about the other party’s candidate!
I have to believe that God is so deeply disappointed in all of us. Clearly, we do not understand what Jesus has taught us… that anger is as much a sin as murder itself! And I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to name calling…as much as I would like to be. However, I have become more aware of how distasteful this is to God… how disrespectful we are when we lash out at another of His children. And I have to say, I think am doing a better job of catching myself before my thoughts and feelings become outward words and actions. It’s a step in the right direction… but I also need to corral my thoughts. And I’m betting you do, also.
We cannot “have it our way.” Jesus is not Burger King. If we are truly Disciples of Christ… if we really want to please God and serve Him honorably, we must get a handle on our anger. We must control our tongue. We must put a stop to body language that exudes disapproval, disgust, or revulsion of others. Yes, Jesus got angry. And yes, there is a time and place for anger about certain situations… abuses and mistreatments of others, for instance – or disrespect for God and His creation. But lashing out at another and calling him/her names, cursing, gesturing or even giving dirty looks does not accomplish anything except making us look like fools.
What is the solution? Jesus! When you are angry, go to a private corner and tell Him how you feel. Call on the Holy Spirit to calm you – to act like a balm on your heart and smooth out your ruffled feathers. Ask Him to show you how to proceed in a logical, loving manner that reflects the grace and mercy of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions… the words you speak – and those you write in places like social media. Make every word and action count for Jesus… and reflect your love and respect for the One who has given everything on your account.
Strive for the day when anger and hatred have no place in your heart. When you can begin to operate without these emotions, you will know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in you… and so will everyone else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are two things in our culture that seem to bring out the worst in people… sporting events and political elections! In both cases, people who claim to be obedient, filled-with-grace Christians give the impression that they are filled with anger. Name calling looks as if it is second nature. The refs are “idiots.” Candidates are called names I cannot even repeat. And the level of pure hatred that appears to emanate from every pore of many is disconcerting at best – and downright scary in some cases. You’ve heard the phrase, “If looks could kill, I’d be dead!” I’ve seen that look in the eyes of more than one person who was upset over a bad call at a ballgame – or those of someone speaking about the other party’s candidate!
I have to believe that God is so deeply disappointed in all of us. Clearly, we do not understand what Jesus has taught us… that anger is as much a sin as murder itself! And I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to name calling…as much as I would like to be. However, I have become more aware of how distasteful this is to God… how disrespectful we are when we lash out at another of His children. And I have to say, I think am doing a better job of catching myself before my thoughts and feelings become outward words and actions. It’s a step in the right direction… but I also need to corral my thoughts. And I’m betting you do, also.
We cannot “have it our way.” Jesus is not Burger King. If we are truly Disciples of Christ… if we really want to please God and serve Him honorably, we must get a handle on our anger. We must control our tongue. We must put a stop to body language that exudes disapproval, disgust, or revulsion of others. Yes, Jesus got angry. And yes, there is a time and place for anger about certain situations… abuses and mistreatments of others, for instance – or disrespect for God and His creation. But lashing out at another and calling him/her names, cursing, gesturing or even giving dirty looks does not accomplish anything except making us look like fools.
What is the solution? Jesus! When you are angry, go to a private corner and tell Him how you feel. Call on the Holy Spirit to calm you – to act like a balm on your heart and smooth out your ruffled feathers. Ask Him to show you how to proceed in a logical, loving manner that reflects the grace and mercy of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions… the words you speak – and those you write in places like social media. Make every word and action count for Jesus… and reflect your love and respect for the One who has given everything on your account.
Strive for the day when anger and hatred have no place in your heart. When you can begin to operate without these emotions, you will know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in you… and so will everyone else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 20, 2012
Acts 10:27-28
Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, "You know, I'm sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don't do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I was so excited to begin my student teaching block in college. I would spend approximately six weeks in a kindergarten classroom, and another six weeks in a third grade setting. The kindergarten teacher to whom I was assigned was preparing to go on maternity leave. She would only be my mentor for one week. A replacement teacher spent much of that week with us… learning the ropes before she took over on Monday morning.
On Friday afternoon, the principal came to the classroom to speak with the replacement teacher. She informed her that the administration had decided that someone of color needed to be in the classroom on Monday. So this woman (who was white) would not be taking over in this classroom. Instead, a young woman who had student taught the previous semester (and was African-American) was being hired. I had shared some college classes with the new replacement, so I sort of knew her already. And on Monday morning, she was the new “teacher” in my kindergarten class.
I really liked this woman. But sadly, she had not really been allowed to do much teaching as a student teacher, and she was as lost as a goose. Since my mother had been a kindergarten teacher for decades, I was in more familiar territory. So we “co-taught” for the next five weeks. I wish I could say that the parents of the students in this classroom embraced my friend and made her transition an easy one… but this was not the case. I felt terrible knowing that she knew the only reason she was there was because of her skin color.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how – or why – we treat people this way. How can we look at another of God’s children and decide that he/she is different from us because of race, ethnicity, or lifestyle choices? Do we really think God makes mistakes? And if so, what makes us think that WE aren’t the mistake rather than the other guy? I bet you didn’t want to think about that… did you?!
I don’t know why God created different races. I don’t know why I have coarse, naturally curly hair, and others have stick-straight, baby-fine manes! Why are some of us short and others tall? Why are some individuals able to perform athletic feats that defy logic… while others are incredible musicians or artists from an early age? Why did God make mosquitoes… and even several species?
I don’t know the answers to such questions… and I’m not supposed to. Neither are you! But we are supposed to respect God’s creations… and to recognize that no race is better than another! To do any less is to exercise arrogance and to insult Almighty God… to imply that we know better than He, which is preposterous.
If you harbor any feelings of bias or bigotry, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer - and ask God to help you. Humbly call on Him to show you how to be more loving and accepting of all people… regardless of their skin color, ethnicity or beliefs. Show others the encompassing love and kindness that Jesus shows to each of us, and take a page from Peter’s book. Follow what God shows you… not the world. Don’t question Him… just do what He says. Sit back, relax…and love all others as God loves you!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, "You know, I'm sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don't do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I was so excited to begin my student teaching block in college. I would spend approximately six weeks in a kindergarten classroom, and another six weeks in a third grade setting. The kindergarten teacher to whom I was assigned was preparing to go on maternity leave. She would only be my mentor for one week. A replacement teacher spent much of that week with us… learning the ropes before she took over on Monday morning.
On Friday afternoon, the principal came to the classroom to speak with the replacement teacher. She informed her that the administration had decided that someone of color needed to be in the classroom on Monday. So this woman (who was white) would not be taking over in this classroom. Instead, a young woman who had student taught the previous semester (and was African-American) was being hired. I had shared some college classes with the new replacement, so I sort of knew her already. And on Monday morning, she was the new “teacher” in my kindergarten class.
I really liked this woman. But sadly, she had not really been allowed to do much teaching as a student teacher, and she was as lost as a goose. Since my mother had been a kindergarten teacher for decades, I was in more familiar territory. So we “co-taught” for the next five weeks. I wish I could say that the parents of the students in this classroom embraced my friend and made her transition an easy one… but this was not the case. I felt terrible knowing that she knew the only reason she was there was because of her skin color.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how – or why – we treat people this way. How can we look at another of God’s children and decide that he/she is different from us because of race, ethnicity, or lifestyle choices? Do we really think God makes mistakes? And if so, what makes us think that WE aren’t the mistake rather than the other guy? I bet you didn’t want to think about that… did you?!
I don’t know why God created different races. I don’t know why I have coarse, naturally curly hair, and others have stick-straight, baby-fine manes! Why are some of us short and others tall? Why are some individuals able to perform athletic feats that defy logic… while others are incredible musicians or artists from an early age? Why did God make mosquitoes… and even several species?
I don’t know the answers to such questions… and I’m not supposed to. Neither are you! But we are supposed to respect God’s creations… and to recognize that no race is better than another! To do any less is to exercise arrogance and to insult Almighty God… to imply that we know better than He, which is preposterous.
If you harbor any feelings of bias or bigotry, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer - and ask God to help you. Humbly call on Him to show you how to be more loving and accepting of all people… regardless of their skin color, ethnicity or beliefs. Show others the encompassing love and kindness that Jesus shows to each of us, and take a page from Peter’s book. Follow what God shows you… not the world. Don’t question Him… just do what He says. Sit back, relax…and love all others as God loves you!
©2012 Debbie Robus
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