Murder Grows from the Seed of Hate

Most of us watched in horror as Charlie Kirk was assassinated before our eyes. Many of us viewed the footage where Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee was stabbed to death on a Charlotte train with no provocation. Those of us with any sense of morality or common sense, ask the question, “Why?”

I am relieved to know that so many of us can’t fathom how these things can happen. It seems such a senseless act to destroy another human being—a being made in the very image of God. Our hearts cry and our reasoning minds can’t comprehend the depths of hate.

My mind reels with so many scriptures decrying hatred. One that shouts so loud in this moment is found in 1 John 3:15 (NKJV), “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

The seed of murder is hate. Most of us who never dreamed of taking a life, have at some point hated someone. If so, I pray you have asked God for forgiveness. I have.

Hate and unforgivingness is a bitter poison. We have consumed it, but hopefully we have not been consumed by it. It will consume us if left untended. Brooding hate will eventually metastasize like cancer in the soul. It will transform us from a simple sinner to an evil person capable of doing horrible things.

Evil people and evil deeds are peppered throughout human history. Even though we can recite the instances, it does not give us reason to commit the same. Hopefully, they grieve our souls, and we deem them as repulsive.

Though you view yourself as a good person, please guard your heart. Hate can find a lodging place in any heart. Fill your heart with the love of God. Never nurture hate for a moment of carnal pleasure. It is a rot that will destroy others and you. And you!

Keep a short list of offenses done to you. Burn the list at sundown. Then your soul will rest, and your sleep will be sweet. You will wake in the morning with the joy of Jesus. Peace on earth, peace in your community, and peace in your family begins with peace in your heart.

I can easily pray for the families of Charlie and Iryna. Now I will struggle, but I will pray for their killers. May they find forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus. If there is no hope for them, then none of us have hope. We serve a forgiving God who is merciful, gracious, and longsuffering. We serve a Savior who died on the cross for all sinners.

If you disagree with me, that is your privilege. Please don’t hate me for it. You can even choose to carry bitter hate for me. But for the life of Christ in me, I choose to love and forgive you.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt