“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
— 1 John 4:20 (NIV)
Our anchor text makes it plain: we cannot claim to love the invisible God while harboring hatred toward those we can see. Love for God is proven by love for people.
This was one of the greatest failures of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. They claimed devotion to God yet showed no compassion for people. When Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, they were more offended about the day of the healing than joyful about the miracle itself. Their piety was empty because it lacked love.
Jesus also illustrated this truth in the parable of the Good Samaritan. A priest and a Levite—both religious leaders—saw a dying man and walked past without helping. They would have claimed to love God, yet their actions betrayed hearts void of love. True love for God cannot exist without love for others.
Jesus gave His disciples a new command in John 13:34–35: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Love is the ultimate proof of discipleship. It is not enough to say we love God; the evidence must be visible in how we treat people. As Paul reminds us, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6).
As children of God, our love must be practical, not theoretical. It means showing kindness when it is not convenient, forgiving when it is not deserved, and extending mercy when others expect judgment. This is how the world will see the heart of Christ through us.
Prayer
Father, teach me to love others as You have loved me. May my love for people be the true reflection of my love for You. Amen.
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