8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:8–11, NKJV)
Christians are under commandment to love one another. Christ’s command to love each other “as I have loved you” is the truth that is in Him and in us (Jno. 13:34-35). How a Christian thinks and acts toward his fellow-Christian either shows he is walking in the light, or that he is in darkness. We dare not say we are in the light while hating a brother; such talk is the foolish deception of sin. We cannot be in the light and also hate our brother. Therefore, refuse every impulse and temptation to hate, and act with goodwill toward each other. Love refuses to be a cause of stumbling. Love is not driven by hatred, animosity, bitterness and malice. If it is your aim to walk in the light, then you must “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2). The path of hate is dark and deadly. The path of love lights our way to the eternal day. Choose carefully the path you take.
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