Many claim the name “Christian” who are not genuine. Some who profess Christ as Saviour are filled with bitterness, malice, selfishness, hatred, and envy. They are quick to gossip and they delight when others stumble along the way. Often these people are themselves deceived, and are of the opinion that their religious charade commends them to God.

Christians are people who have been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This new birth is possible because of God’s love for us. His love is seen in His many blessings and provisions but especially in the death of His Son on the cross: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The love of God is placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit: “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

It is totally inconsistent for one who has been saved to be filled with ire, bitterness, and malice. John wrote: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20).

Since God loves us, let us communicate His love to others. John put it all together well: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).