8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.Strong's defines it as "to hate, pursue with hatred, detest or to be hated, detested." That's quite a strong word!
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I John 2:8-11 KJV
As believers we use the word "hate" way to loosely. "I hate that!" or "I hate it when you do that!" or "I hate broccoli!" This morning hear the creativity in the words you're speaking. Know that by the Words God spoke creation came to be and think on that for a moment. Let's ask ourselves: "How much DOES my mouth define my reality?"
So that being said, how many of you have something against another believer? The Word tells us that he who hates is darkness. Now, I'm not saying that you aren't saved because of it but I can say this: I wouldn't wander to far from the wall your hand is on.. Have you ever turned the lights out at night in the living room and for a second couldn't see a thing but began to wander towards the hall or bedroom? How many of you know that those who are blinded are led by their feelings?
But there is a seriousness that needs to be dealt with here. We, as believers, are called to "make our calling and election sure" and to "work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling" so IF we have hatred towards a brother or sister it's time for a heart check!
"But Bro Pierce, I said the prayer of salvation and I got baptized at the church. I know I'm saved and that's all there is to that!" Do you? Now, I'm not going to question your confession because I'm not qualified to do so; but you should... We must test ourselves to know that we are in the Faith! Better to test and find ourselves lacking than to not test and find ourselves, without reprieve, in hell.
If you ever come to a place where you are questioning whether or not you're saved, know that it's not God's Ability that's in question. He is able to save to the Utmost! When you question, and you should do so, do so with an expectant heart. Doubt, in this sense, is not your enemy. Unbelief is the enemy, Faith and Believing is the friend, doubt notes a place in between the two. Wouldn't you rather know that you don't know and be able to search for the answer or would you rather find yourself in an eternal bind?
We've used the example of "hate" here because hate is of a nature that we as believers have been freed from. It is but a portion of iniquity and transgression. That nature is the old nature and the new man, formed in God's image, born again, new heart, new mind, new you is forged in LOVE. The strongholds of pain and bitterness of our past is something that, now that we are the Lord's, we have the authority to rip down! This reminds me of the Promised Land, a biblical type and shadow of salvation: Did Israel gain all of the Promised Land? Yes! In one day or by battle after battle? That's right, they fought for it, they took ground with effort and it took effort to take the ground and keep it!
Is "hate" a city on the hills of your Promised Land? Can you name it? Define it? Know it in and out? Then strategize in prayer with the One Who gave you the victory over it and DEFEAT IT! What darkness exposed by light remains? Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light! In fact, darkness is but an absence of light! Turn the light on and let's roll on the the next city! TAKE THE GROUND AND POSSES IT FOR IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU BY PROMISE!
Amen! The moment Jesus was raised from the dead Satan was done! We have to renew our minds ( from the Word of God) that our source is Jesus and that the Spirit of God is within us! We declare the glory of the Lord over you today! We believe that we receive the manifested presence of God, the manifested goodness of God, and the manifested power of God!
Be blessed! We love you!
