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Loving God...


If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (I John 4:19-20)      

          Here’s another statement about which we may be tempted to disagree, saying, “You don’t know my brother.” I don’t know your brother, but I knew mine, and I would have definitely said that it is easier to love God. My brother and I were opposite in almost every way. I know John wasn’t talking about the sons of our mothers. He was referring to those who are sons of the Father, but they’re equally irritating! Equally flawed. How can it not be easy to love someone who is perfect, like God? 
         The problem with loving God begin with His perfection, with his God-ness. Sure, it’s probably nice to have someone around who is perfect – until one fails…and fails…and fails to live up to that perfection. Or until His unbending perfection doesn’t let us be His god. It’s just really hard to relate to God. He’s God, after all. 
         Our brothers have the benefit of being visible, material, and imperfect. As irritating as that can be, ultimately, it’s easier for us to love them. Sometimes, I think God plans those things about other people that irritate us, specifically to stretch our ability to love. I’ve said it before – muscles get stronger because of resistance. Love gets stronger when there is something unlovable to overcome. Loving our brothers, then, is how we practice, to build our love up to the place where we can take on the tougher challenge of loving God.
        And, yes, there’s another logical issue here. God has commanded us to love our brothers, and to love our neighbors as ourselves If we disobey Him by refusing to love our brothers, how can we be said to be loving God? Oh, and how can we love our brothers if we don't go to church because they are there?

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