SOAP Devotional 2014-06-02
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness. (1 John 2:9-11 NLT)
Observation:
A true believer cannot hate a fellow believer. Anyone who does is still living and walking in darkness. They are fooling themselves in thinking they are Christians and do not have a clue as to the right way to be a true believer. True believers literally love their brothers and do not cause others to stumble.
Application:
Search your heart. Do you hate some fellow believers. Think carefully. We are to love other believers even if they go to different churches, different denominations, or even have some different doctrines. If you truly love someone, you will look out for THEIR best interest. We help light their path rather than leaving them in the dark to stumble. If we don’t, then we may not be true believers at all or we may have strayed from the truth and need to turn around and get back right with God. By the way, often you here, “We have to love them, but we don’t have to like them.” That is just a cop out to masquerade hate.
Prayer:
Father, help me to not only say I love my brothers, but also let it be genuine from my heart and shown in my actions toward them. If I falter, help me to repent quickly and get back on track.
