Some Christians say: “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” (Note: it’s debatable whether they actually do this). Be that as it may, forget hating “sin” or “sinners,” maybe Christians should work on not hating each other. “We don’t hate the person,” we say. “We hate their teachings; hate what they are doing; hate the organization of which they are affiliated; and hate their attitude.” Who determines hate? The “hater” or the one the hate is directed toward? If the hated feel hate, it’s hate.

John was obsessed in his letter about hatred between brothers and sisters (FYI… He is not referring to biological families, but the family of God). Apparently, hatred within the church walls has existed even before the first church carpet committee convened, but (from John’s perspective) it is always (yes, ALWAYS) unjustified. 

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 1 John 2:9

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 1 John 3:15

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. 1 John 4:20

Those (even pastors) who harbor hatred toward those who claim Christ will be in for a rude awakening according to John. 

What does hatred toward fellow believers in the modern world look like?

• Hatred is not attempting to make amends. Hatred is a social media lambast toward a fellow believer without following Jesus’ instructions of Matthew 18 of talking to the offender first. Hatred is passive aggressive posts with no conversation prior. Has there been discussion with the person before hitting “send”? Have a couple of believers spoke directly to the other to right the wrong before the airing of grievances? 

• Hatred is refusing to acknowledge the other. It’s ignoring– then justifying the snubbing with an excuse of “they wouldn’t receive any attempts at reconciliation.” How does one determine that to be true? Sent one text? Maybe two? Is that going “the extra mile” that Jesus talked about?  Leaving one voicemail is going an extra foot, there are 5,279 more feet to go to get to an “extra” mile. 

• Hatred is telling lies and weaponizing or “sanctifying” scripture to justify the lies (aka Satan’s tactics to Jesus in the wilderness). 

• Hatred is speaking poorly about the offending brother or sister to others (aka gossip).

• Hatred is referring to the other in derogatory terms. Wait a minute, some might say: “Jesus called the Pharisees “snakes,” “hypocrites” and “white washed tombs” among other things.”  I say, “Look in the mirror, friend, you ain’t Jesus.”

Why are young people leaving the church? Maybe they’ve seen too much mudslinging between so-called believers; too much hatred spewed toward those whom Christ loves; too much vitriol comments on social media; heard too many hate filled sermons; and seen a lack of love toward the least of these. They’ve seen it on all sides on just about every issue. They’ve seen too much and they’ve said, “Thanks but no thanks. I like Jesus. I don’t like His so-called followers.”

Before differentiating our hatred of sin and/or sinners, maybe we should try not hating our fellow believers.