Murders make big headlines. Here we go again; the news anchor describes the latest murder as a hate crime. Isn’t hate involved in all murder?

The taking of human life certainly isn’t an act of love. Man is created in the image of God. I realize that many things contribute to acts of violence; yet, even if not a premeditated murder, hate is involved. The assailant might hate all authority or even themselves.

Do you have hatred in your heart?

Are you hated?

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father (John 15:18-24 ESV).”

Father, forgive them.

“But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause (John 15:25 ESV).”

Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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