How do I get there from here?

1Jn 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

This verse has caused some thought and contemplation on my part over the last few days. As seems to be the case with us humans it is much easier to apply this verse to others than to myself. I can definitely see where you fall short, the hard part is identifying my need and seeing where I fall short. How does this apply to me? (Matt. 7:3-5)

Jesus explained that God’s standard of righteousness goes beyond our outward actions (although they are indicators of inward realities and are not to be ignored). He looks at and judges the inward motivations of our hearts. (1 Sam 16:7, Jer 17:10, Heb 4:13)

So I might say outwardly that I love my brother, but I may harbor malice and ill will towards them in my heart. How do I deal with that?

First of all I have to admit I am in sin, that my heart is not right, that I am not in alignment with God or His word. This is the first step of repentance. The term repentance implies that I will respond in obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit concerning this issue. This may be the simple act of asking for forgiveness and cleansing before God (1 Jn 1:9), or the more difficult tasks of confessing my sin before others (James 5:16). or the even more difficult task of going to the individual and asking forgiveness from them (Matt 5:23-24).

J. Edwin Orr gives a good principle to govern confession: "If you sin secretly, confess secretly, admitting publicly that you need the victory but keeping details to yourself. If you sin openly confess openly to remove stumbling blocks from those whom you have hindered. If you have sinned spiritually (prayerlessness, lovelessness, and unbelief as well as their offspring, criticism, etc.) then confess to the church that you have been a hindrance."

What if I don’t feel any different? Read 1 Jn 3:18-21. This is saying that the response of obedience to God’s direction is acceptable to Him. My emotions may still condemn me but God doesn’t. He is greater than my emotions. I can have confidence in where I stand before Him because of His word. I guarantee that eventually my heart (emotions) will come into alignment with God and His word strengthening my confidence, trust, and obedience to Him and His Word.

God Bless,
P.C.