THE MOST DANGEROUS VIRUS

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

John 13:34, 35
King James Version

We have a virus that is killing people but the most dangerous virus in our world is the virus of hatred. What brings tears to my eyes is when we ask God to forgive us and do things for us when we refuse to forgive others and allow the virus of hatred to remain in our heart. Jesus has told us that we are to love one another unconditionally as He loves us. It is not an option, it is a commandment.

I'm just as guilty as everyone else. There are times when someone hurts me that I do not forgive them and then I have to repent, tell God I'm sorry and ask Him to forgive me.

If we will do what one of my pastors used to say in his sermons, we wouldn't hurt Jesus as much as we do. The pastor used to say "If you will make sure your own heart is in right standing with God, you won't have the time to judge others".

The pastor was right because it is a full time job making sure my own heart is right before God. It breaks my heart when I hurt Him. I'm so glad we have a Heavenly Father Who loves us unconditionally and will never kick us out of Heaven as some dads kick their children out of the house.

Years ago, I read about a dad who got so angry with his son that he said to his son "you are a disgrace to this family because you are doing drugs and you need to leave this house now and never come back. You are no longer my son". The dad was smoking and drinking a beer while he was yelling at his son.  Yes, the most dangerous virus is hatred and unforgiveness.

Many years ago, a woman sat in my living room and said "I can't do anything with my son. He is disobedient and keeps sneaking out of the house at night. I've done all I can do and I wash my hands of him." I asked the woman if she had prayed for her son and she said she hadn't prayed.

If we haven't prayed for someone and trusted God to take care of the situation, we have not done all we can do and we are hurting God and breaking His heart. Have you prayed for your loved ones today?

Joanne Lowe
May 16, 2020