Scripture Reading

You must stop all hate, big and small anger, loud talk, saying wrong things about people, and all wanting to do wrong things to people. Be kind to one another. Have a loving and understanding heart. Forgive one another because God has forgiven you for Christ’s sake.

Ephesians 4:30-32 – Worldwide English New Testament

Introductory Remarks: 

If peace is our goal, we must give up hate. If we believe in a God of Love, then we must give up the perception of God loving some and hating others.

Instead of hating, we can flip our script and affirm God’s love as we commit to ‘being more loving in our heart’. 

Major Points of the Lesson:

1. Hate is learned. If you can learn to hate you can learn to Love, for love is who you are, spiritually speaking.
2. Love is an action word. Matthew 5:43-45.
   1. Love blesses & prospers.
   2. Love frees & forgives
   3. Love heals & fulfils

Quote:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that…I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love.

ASSIGNMENT:

Search your heart. Whom do you hate? Ask yourself: What benefits do I receive for holding to hate? What price do I pay for holding on to hate? Is either ‘worth it?’