“‭Hatred stirs up strife, ‭but love covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10:12, MEV)

We are certainly facing a cruel virus, spreading like wildfire around the globe. But there is an even more deadly disease.  It is hatred!

Hatred plagues nations and families and churches. It causes separation between people of different races, ideologies, and cultures. It is unrelenting and undiscriminating. It afflicts liberals and conservatives, blacks and whites, easterners, westerners and “in-betweeners.” The “news channels” and websites are full it. Congress lives with it. Churches are torn apart by it. Communities are like war zones because of it.

It’s time to put away hatred and embrace love. Hatred tears apart. Love heals. Hatred is destroying all wisdom and knowledge. It is separating friends and families. It is causes torment on every level of society and every nation. It is the one thing that should NOT be a part of a Christian’s life.

‭“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ‭By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:34-35, MEV)

Hatred pollutes your spirit and destroys your effectiveness. It keeps you from abiding in the Spirit and walking in peace. It’s a killer, both of your spiritual life and your relationships. It undermines your witness in the world, and destroys opportunities to reach people for Christ.

It’s time for all of us to stop demonizing everyone whom we disagree with. It they are evil, let God deal with them. Our one job is to love. As  Jesus said, “‭… love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ‭bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28, MEV)

I’m not talking about abandoning your values and accepting everything that people do. But I think we ALL need to remember that we are ALL a people in need of grace and forgiveness. It’s time for us to give some grace and forgiveness to others!

Let’s start loving people with the same love that Jesus had when He hung on the cross and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”‭ (Luke 23:34, MEV) Jesus’ prayer is still effective and many are still receiving its benefit today. Let us be like Jesus and spread love and not hate, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Stephen prayed a similar prayer as he lay dying. “‭Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ Having said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60, MEV) One of those standing by as Stephen died was Saul. Later, Jesus in His mercy appeared to Saul and he became one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the word, the Apostle Paul.

Let’s stop the spread of this deadly disease and take the cure—love.

A Love That You Can’t Figure Out [Audio]

The Love of the Father [Audio]