I Peter 1:22-25

This passage almost instantly directed my mind to I John 2:9-11 which says “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him is no cause for stumbling. But whoever 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.” I know I am supposed to love fellow believers, but it is really helpful to see the motivation for that is not based on the other Christian (some of whom make it really difficult to love) but it must be based solely on the truth of who God is and the reality of my redemption from sin to God through Jesus Christ. When I see the massive debt that God has paid for me it is so hypocritical to hold a grudge someone else. The parable Jesus told about the unmerciful servant also comes to mind here. What is important to grasp is that when I look to God and see how awesome he is, my reaction to fellow man will be changed for the better. God is so awesome to forgive a person like me that it is only natural, that when I understand this I can try to love as he loves.