20 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. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:20-21 ESV
At first read, these two verses from 1 John appear to be an easy win for Christians.
"Sure we love all people. We hate the sin, but love the person." But it becomes more dicey when the Biblical side of love is examined.
1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient, kind, humble, forgiving, supportive, hopeful, faithful, and enduring.
Let's insert these characteristics into the following phrases.
I am patient with that coworker who constantly causes me to have extra work.
I am forgiving of my mother-in-law who tries to undermine my marriage.
I am supportive of President Obama/President-elect Trump.
I am kind toward my openly homosexual neighbor.
I am faithful in my prayers for a hypercritical spouse.
It can border on a platitude to say we love everyone, but to insert the requirements of love into that statement, most of us would have to do some soul-searching.
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