I Used to Be a Hater

Titus 3:3-5

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another…but…he saved us!

At one time in our lives we have all been a hater or been hated. When we lived outside the will of God we were haters. Jesus said, “if you love me then keep my commandments.” When we lived in disobedience to Jesus’ commandments we were haters. When we disagreed or fell out with someone, held a drudge we were haters. Jesus asked, “how can we love God whom we have never seen and hate our brother/sister whom we see everyday?” I used to be a hater but since the kindness and love of God our savior appeared through the Love that Jesus poured out on us I’ve been saved from hating.

Haters are just people who need more love. When you experience the love and grace of God there is no way to go on hating. When John Perkins was asked if he hated white people for killing his brother and beating him in a Mississippi jail during the Civil Rights movement. He said, “I don’t have time to hate! I’m not going to carry my sin and that white man’s sin, that’s too heavy.”

God saves us not because of anything good we have done but it’s because of his mercies that we are not consumed. God saved us through the rebirth, washing, and renewal of the Holy Sprit. Today I refuse to hate. Instead I’m going to:

1. Experience the Love that God has for me.

2. Love my enemies and pray for those who despise me.

3. Refuse to return negativity for negativity, because if I don’t feed it, it can’t continue to grow.

4. I will allow the Holy Sprit to renew me with the grace of God from the inside out.

Dear God, thank you for saving me from the stuff I used to do wrong. It was your love that transformed me from a hater to a lover. Today, help me to love you with everything I have and love my neighbor as myself. Most of all help me to love those who hate me.

In Jesus Name,

Amen