If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

This verse points out how some folks say they love God but really “hate” other believers, showing that they are lying. John keeps it straightforward, using a clear-cut approach. He makes a strong point by saying that if you can’t love the people you see, like your brothers and sisters, then there’s no way you can truly love God, who you can’t see. It is not matter of trying but it is a matter of being. You can’t have a real experience of God and not show that love toward His people. God is love, and if you’re born of Him, you’ve will be loving too; if you can’t love, then you really don’t know God.

When we say, “I love God,” that love must overflow to include our brothers and sisters. It’s not enough to reserve our affection for God alone. After all, how can we claim to love someone we haven’t seen when we’ve already seen the person right beside us? If you truly love God, harboring hatred toward a fellow human being is simply incompatible with that love. Sure, disagreements will arise and relationships may sometimes be challenging, but deep-seated hatred—wishing ill or suffering on another—is not a part of the new life we’ve been given.

I’ve witnessed this contradiction in many places of worship. Some individuals profess their love for God yet carry bitterness or hatred toward those around them. I’ve seen leaders who rock the pulpits today who speak with utmost hatred towards another brother. This makes one think whether they are really born again. God’s love is all-encompassing, and if we truly embrace it, we naturally extend that love to everyone in our lives.

Loving God means loving our brothers and sisters. It’s a commandment that comes straight from His heart—a reminder that the way we love others reflects our relationship with Him. When we allow His love to guide us, it transforms our interactions and shapes a community where love is the defining characteristic. Let’s strive to be living examples of that divine love every day.