“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)
Our relationship with the Lord God has consequences for our relationship with other people. As we saw before, God should be our number 1 priority, even over our closest relatives. However, today’s verse makes clear that loving Him also implies loving our fellow humans. “And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:21 NIV). Jesus even mentions brotherly love as a characteristic of His followers: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Jesus is not physically present on earth anymore. The church is called to be His representative on earth and to spread the Gospel. If the love of Christians is visible for others, this will greatly support their message about the love of God for humans! History provides many examples of this.
Do you love God? Can others see your love of God by your loving attitude towards people around you?