Learning not to Hate.

[SweetEnigma]

Jesus is teaching me day by day how to love. The more I learn from Him the less I'm capable of hate.

This past year, I learned that one of my good friends is a child molester. He confessed to molesting his own 3 year old daughter, a child I felt close to at one point, a baby I watched grow in the community. I hated him so bad for his actions, I practically started my own witch hunt against him.. I wanted him to lose all of his friends and all of his respect in the community. I despised him with every ounce of my being.

While he's serving life in prison for his actions, his mark is still left on the community. I was talking to a friend this week, and she brought up her own hatered for him. I realized that I no longer hate this old friend of mine; in fact, I don't feel hate for anyone, not even those who've abused me personally: It's as if Jesus took the hate right out of my heart.

I learned in Scripture this week that sin is sin. I cannot judge another's sin when I am a wretched sinner myself. I cannot rank sins as the justice system does... there is only one Judge in my life now, and that is God. All I can hope for is that in following and learning from Christ's teachings that He will have mercy on me for my sins when the day comes.

It's so freeing not feeling that bad emotion anymore-- I'm not saying there's not people I "don't like", but I can honestly say, I don't feel that gnawing grip of hatered on my heart anymore. In John 8, when Jesus stood up for that prostitute... that just set me back, and I saw my own sins clearly for the first time.

I just wanted to share this story with all the other newbs out there. Thank you Jesus for setting me straight once again. I love you.

[mongoose303]

SweetEnigma, appears the Lord is working in your life, thats wonderful !Praise God!Thank you Jesus!:pp

Ive always thought that it was ok to hate the sin but not the sinner, not sure what validity that has. Perhaps we could say we can judge a persons sinful acts but look at that person as a candidate for salvation in Christ Jesus and how that person can be used for God's glory.

As you say, we were once in the same boat as sinners ourselves, its just that now we have accepted the Lord's gift of salvation in Christ Jesus who cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Of course ,non of us is worthy of this its solely because of the Lord's lovingkindness towards us.

Im a rather new christian myself, I rededicated my life to Jesus about a year ago now after being away from Him for over 25 years. Im having a wonderful time in the Lord. He has filled me with such great joy and love for Him, its like nothing I could have ever imagined, far beyond my wildest dreams, Its like I cant stop crying when I feel His loving presence. It never occured to me that God could be with us on such a personal level, im just amazed at His love.

He is so good to me ! Thank you Lord !!!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!! I long for you every day ! Lord you are my hope, my joy, my love and I will never be fully satisfied until you hold me in your arms forever.You are my desire,No one else will do ,cause ive fallen for you...I need you Jesus :cry::cry:


p.s. Great to see your status change to "yes I am a christian" , that in itself can be considered a testimony.