Flight Paths

As I look back over a long "ministry," I know that I have often failed to love the brothers, and that over differences that were not near as weighty as the doctrinal issues dealt with in First John.  If I were as bold as John, I expect I would call my treatment of them by its right name.  Some may think I am overstating the case.  I never used the word "hate" with reference to the brothers.  But the teachers John has specially in mind may not have used the word either; and the arrogance, self-righteousness, and contempt that we manifest toward others are really expressions of hatred.  We can be real clever at concealing ugly attitudes under cover of high-sounding, noble words. 

L. A. Mott, Jr., Thinking through John's Epistles