The Cross Has Two Beams (1 John 4:20)

Black and white

1 John 4:20 isn't subtle. Claim to love God while hating a brother or sister, and John calls it a lie. The two can't sit side by side. Picture the cross: one direction toward God, one toward the people beside you.

Honest about the struggle

DeWayne opened this one up from his own life. Someone at church had said hurtful things, and he went back to the text asking whether that hurt had crowded out love. He hadn't fully worked it out yet, and he said so.

Love God first

One participant put it well. Trying to love a difficult person by willpower alone is exhausting. As we grow closer to God, loving them comes more naturally. That's verse 19: we love because He first loved us. And none of us gets there overnight. Sanctification takes a lifetime, and it's easier together.

Try this

• Name one believer who's hard for you to love, and pray for them by name today.
• Read 1 John 4 from verse 7 to the end.