There’s an old saying—“The boat belongs in the water, but the water doesn’t belong in the boat.” Christians live in the world, but there’s a problem when the world lives in Christians. One part of our society that seems to be creeping more and more into the church (and deeper and deeper into the hearts of its members) is a spirit of hate. The sharp political divide and the steep moral decline has given the devil open access into hearts of too many Christians.
Let us be reminded that nearly 3,500 years ago, our God said, “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Lev. 19:17). 1,500 years later, God said, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). “Hatred” in God’s eyes is on the same level as “murder,” and “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21). Brethren, please examine your heart. If there is any speck of hatred, purge it out! Hate IN your heart will keep you OUT of heaven! Nothing is more serious than that!