Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
1 John 2:10, ESV
God is love. There is no hate in God. Hate is not of God. These are truths that should shape the lives of every follower of Christ. John reminds us of this truth in his first letter. Unfortunately, there are those who, in the name of Christ, do hateful things. Those who hold grudges and speak ill of others are not expressing the love of God but are showing how bound they truly are, not to God but in sin. The goal of all Christians is to release all who are bound and to pray for those with whom they disagree. Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies, and he modeled this for us on the Cross. God doesn’t want anger and shame to bind our hearts. Walk in Christ’s love and show that love in how you treat others.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.