Have you ever hated someone for no reason at all? The thing is…there is a reason! You just probably have not realized it, yet.
"Cain hated and killed his brother, not for any wrong that Abel had done, but “because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12. So in all ages the wicked have hated those who were better than themselves. Abel’s life of obedience and unswerving faith was to Cain a perpetual reproof. Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:20. The brighter the heavenly light that is reflected from the character of God’s faithful servants, the more clearly the sins of the ungodly are revealed, and the more determined will be their efforts to destroy those who disturb their peace." ~ PATRIACH AND PROPHETS, P. 74.2
“Cain and Abel represent two classes that will exist in the world till the close of time. One class avail themselves of the appointed sacrifice for sin; the other venture to depend upon their own merits; theirs is a sacrifice without the virtue of divine mediation, and thus it is not able to bring man into favor with God. It is only through the merits of Jesus that our transgressions can be pardoned. Those who feel no need of the blood of Christ, who feel that without divine grace they can by their own works secure the approval of God, are making the same mistake as did Cain. If they do not accept the cleansing blood, they are under condemnation. There is no other provision made whereby they can be released from the thralldom of sin.” ~ PATRIACH AND PROPHETS, P72.5
Every time I feel the incling to dislike a person, I asked myself, “Why am I not liking this person?” Is it because he/she is doing something right or wrong? Is that person’s nice-ness making me feel uncomfortable?
The true condition of my heart would answer this question. Like oil and water, light and darkness cannot co-exist, good and evil cannot “walk together, lest they agreed.” Bad people dislike the company of good people because it magnifies their wrongdoings. It distinguishes them and makes their works of evil manifest. That is no fun!
“Hating or dislking a person for no reason at all,” is not all true. Envy, jealousy, and pride rooted deep in our hearts are just a few causes to hate a person. We are envious of a co-worker’s promtion while we are still in the same position for years and years. Our pride pats us on the back saying we are better than that person, we deserve the spot. So quietly we suppress the envy…the jealousy… while faking a congratulatory smile. Then the emotion steps up to the next level…hatred.
The Bible says, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” ~ 1 John 3:15
The Remedy
The Heart That Gives Love for Hatred—It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even sinners whose hearts are not utterly closed to God’s Spirit will respond to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will also give love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do good hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of heaven, the sure token by which the children of the Highest reveal their high estate.— THOUGHTS FROM THE MOUNT OF BLESSING, 75 (1896). 2MCP 529.
"While we were yet unloving and unlovely in character, “hateful, and hating one another,” our heavenly Father had mercy on us…" ~FROM REFLECTING CHRIST – PAGE 72
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