We stumble in the dark

The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. -1 John‬ ‭2:10-11‬ ‭NASB‬‬

As often happens when I’m studying the Bible, I find things I wasn’t actually looking for.  In this case, I’m slowly working my way through 1 John as I have come to believe I have been looking at so much of this book the wrong way.  That’s for another post though.  I had already gone over this passage a couple times this last week, but this last time around something stuck out. It was that phrase “does not know where he is going” that caught me. I have often walked through life wondering if I'm on the right path, not sure where I'm going.  Having spent a lot of time like that, it caught my attention as I realized this is telling me what can block us from seeing where we are going. Seeing the path is such a critical part to a fruitful (not to mention peaceful) life. It’s those stumbles that often make us grow old too quickly, take us off the path for too long, and even destroy the promises in our lives.

What then is so critical that it could put us in the dark to stumble our way through life?  

Hate.

To be more exact, hatred, contempt, and a lack of love toward our brothers.

Who is our brother according to scripture? Usually this is seen as others in the family of God.  I feel like we’ve lost it, that love for each other.  You can see it in our churches and the silly stuff we do there as we bicker, fight, and gossip.  Even more what I was reminded of is this last year and a half on social media.  I have lost count of how many posts from Christian friends who have said something like “any Christian who thinks .... should be ....”. Feel free to insert whatever topic and judgement you can think of and there's a good chance it was said.  And yes, from both sides of politics.  Every time I saw a post like that it hurt me to just read now.  Now, I wonder if I understand a little better why that is. No wonder we are so lost in our direction as we have forgotten how to love each other. 

Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;"

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34:6‬ ‭NASB‬‬

We have become so convinced of our moral high ground that we have lost sight of the character of our God.  As we lose sight of His character, forgetting to love above all, we lose our way as well.  Then in the darkness we stumble, trip, get hurt, and wonder why our God would lead us down this path.

This doesn't necessarily mean condemning other Christians is the problem putting us in darkness, but it is a symptom of that darkness.  Therefore, if you find yourself in that situation of feeling this way toward others, you should check back on yourself first.  If you walk in God then love should flow, not hatred.  Judge yourself before you judge another.