Heavenly Father, remove from our hearts all anger and hate toward others. Instead, following the example of our dear Redeemer, may we live our lives reflecting the love and forgiveness we have been given. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"I Hate To Hate"

June 10, 2011

(Jesus said) "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44


Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour



How many times have you heard someone say, "I hate ____."?

When someone hates something, or someone else, it is a negative sentiment that transforms anything which might be good into something altogether bad.

When Karin was a teenager, she had a problem. At least she thought she did. Karin's problem was her younger sister, Anna. Anna had the nasty quality of always trying to look the same and do the same things Karin did.

Every day Karin thought to herself, I hate Anna! She is a terrible, great stone weighing down my life!

When Karin reached the ripe, old age of 21, and Anna was 18, things changed. Almost miraculously Karin discovered that Anna was no longer a stone in her life.

On the contrary, Anna had become a blessing, a most enjoyable part of her life. The difference came about when Karin realized Anna's copycatting was motivated by the great respect she had for her older sister.

The hate was gone.

"Hate" is a terrible word.

Jesus knew that. That's why in Matthew 5:22 He said His followers would live in a different way than they had before. They would have a different life and in that life there was no room for hatred. This is what the Savior said: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."

As the Savior spent His life saving us, He practiced what He preached. When people tried to discredit Him, when they tried to ruin Him, even when they murdered Him Jesus continued to love them.

And we Christians are to do the same.

Today the Word of God comes to us and encourages us to live without hate. By Holy Spirit-given faith in the crucified and risen Redeemer we are urged to love as Jesus loved us.

Pastor Ken Klaus