now?
Biological brothers?
2007-09-30 03:17:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1 john 2: 9
How can you say that God is telling Christians to only love Christians?
No wonder people turn in atheist!
So why do people go out preaching to save themselves or save others?
Proves that God loves everyone and not a group!
2007-09-30 03:28:29 · update #1
Hi Rae
This scripture refers to the person who says he is living his life for Christ as a child of God, and yet harbours a hatred for anyone - not just his biological brother. Hatred is not of God, and therefore is "in darkness".
In my life, I have come to realize that I have never truly "hated" although I have been extremely disappointed many times. I've asked questions here about hatred and found that many people harbour hatred against people. Hatred is simply a lack of understanding for who a person is in their heart. It's hard to imagine that we wouldn't hate a child molester, for example. And it's hard for many to understand how someone like me can truthfully say "I don't hate a child molester".
I think that God works in us in different ways. It's His choice to show us how He feels about things. And also His choice to give us the trust to be able to handle what we can handle. If we hate, we can't possibly be trusted to handle the fragility of someones heart - no matter what they've done.
In this verse, God is asking us to think about what we are saying. I can't say - "I love God" if in the same breath I can say "I hate my fellow man". It makes no sense.
Hope this is helpful.
blessings (((((rae))))) :)
2007-09-30 03:56:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What it means is that IF a person is claiming to be a Christian; but hates anyone, for any reason, they are following the Devil and his ways. A person in the "Light" has removed all the hate in them. They love and want to help all they can. If a person is in the "Dark" they are ones that are only conning themselves and trying to con others. Hate they do willingly. And they are often greedy too.
When 9-11 happened So many people started hating so much that the Devil got a lot more members that day.
2007-09-30 03:42:39 · answer #2 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To me it says if you have love in your heart for your brother you are in the light. If you have hate in your heart you are in darkness. 1 John 2 10+11.
I think in those days it would be fellow Christians.
2007-09-30 09:24:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is saying that if the person is just making the claim to follow the ways of being a good and decnt person and Worshipping God, then THAT is NOT enough. Those words MUST be followed up with action. It's NOT enough to proclaim the Love of God if you refuse to LOVE the rest of alll that exists. That person MAY be right about WHO to worship but is 100% WRONG as to HOW to honor that Deity.
BB,
Raji the Green Witch
2007-09-30 09:36:17 · answer #4 · answered by Raji the Green Witch 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's probably a poor translation for our modern day English language. But I think the passage is trying to say that Whoever is "in the light" yet hates his brother, he is lying about being in the light. "Brother(s)" in the New Testament often refers to believers or members of the church body.
2007-09-30 03:24:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Certain so called Christian fundies are refered to by this they say they obey the gospel teachings and love their neighbor but this is a falsehood that does not reflect the truth in their hearts.
Outside they appear white and clean yet inside are full of deadmans bones.
2007-09-30 03:23:15 · answer #6 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He is speaking of his brother as we are all God's children and brothers and sisters to each other. He is saddened that he lives in the light while his brother lives in darkness not understanding how much joy is there to be in the light.
2007-09-30 03:24:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's speaking of Christians loving other Christians. However, what today's politically correct crowd thinks is "hate", is speaking against false gospels and false doctrine. Such people are not Christians, and are dead in sins and can't see the Truth. Jesus is the truth.
2007-09-30 03:20:06 · answer #8 · answered by CJ 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋