DISCLAIMER: My Confession - I Cannot Love Anyone Without Jesus

Let me make something very clear: I cannot love anyone on my own. I have tried over and over again, it doesn't work--it won't work, by design praise God.

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44

I have no love of my own. None. Not one drop of it originated with me. And if you’ve ever experienced love from me—real love, deep love, eternal love—you need to know this: it was Jesus. It was all Jesus.

So, as you read this know that Jesus is 1000% responsible for any love you might find in me. I am an expert in love because of His mercy; without Him, I am a failure in every sense of the word.

"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:14

Because without Him, I was just another broken, bitter soul surviving in a world of hate. I knew how to fight, argue, defend, and resist. But love? I had none. I couldn’t love myself, let alone anyone else. And certainly not my enemies.

“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

But something happened. Jesus happened.

He didn’t just save me—He filled me. He didn’t just rescue me from hell—He poured Heaven into me. He didn’t just cleanse me—He gave me His own life, His own Spirit, His own heart.

And now… the love I live by is not mine. It’s not Craig’s version of kindness or Craig’s version of Christianity. It’s God’s love IN CHRIST, burning in me, flowing through me, poured into my heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

The only reason I can talk about love is because Jesus rescued me from a world of hate. The only reason I can teach others to love haters is because Jesus loved me when I was one. Actually, He died for me when I still hated Him--That's love.

I now know that anything good I have—anything—I’ve received from the only One who is good: my Father in Heaven. And Jesus makes sure of that. He gets all the glory. I get all the Grace.

So, if you hear me speak boldly, understand this: it’s not self-confidence. It’s Christ-confidence. If you see me walk in love, know this: it’s not me—it’s Christ in me.

Because I still can’t love anyone without Him. But now, because of Jesus, I want nothing more than this:

to love my enemies like He did.
To pray for those who curse me.
To bless those who attack me.
To go low, to forgive freely, to love recklessly.
To give what I’ve received.

And if He can do this in me, He can do it in anyone. Even in haters. Especially in haters.

That’s my confession. That’s my joy. That’s my Gospel. All glory to King Jesus.

If you love like Jesus, you will be hated. Not misunderstood. Not tolerated–HATED.

And if you’re not willing to love the ones who hate you, you’ve already lost. Because this is war. Not against flesh and blood, but against principalities of hate—against the spirit of Cain, the poison of the Pharisee, and the ancient serpent who still whispers: “Did God really say…?”

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34–35

We are not here to make peace with hate. We are not here to blend in with religious appeasement or tiptoe through cowardly compromise. We disrupt all that with love. We are here to confront hate with a greater fire:

LOVE.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12

Not sentimental. Not shallow. Not self-serving.

The kind of love that bleeds. That stands in the gap. That forgives while being crucified. That stares down hell itself and says, “Father, forgive them.”

“This I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:17

This is the love that raised dead men and resurrected murderers into apostles. The love that disarmed Saul, healed Peter, and washed Judas’ feet.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

And now—it’s your turn.

Will you love like that?

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

Because if you’re not willing to love the haters, then you're not ready to follow Jesus. And if you're not ready to follow Jesus, then you're still following yourself—and that path ends in ruin–self ruin.

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

This message is not for the faint of heart. It’s for the dead who live again. It’s for those who were once haters but are now lovers. It’s for the warriors of Grace, the agents of mercy, the disciples who will go down loving in a shower of bullets if that’s what it takes to reach a hater’s heart.

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

So come. Load every chamber with truth in love. Lock your aim with compassion. And don’t flinch. The King of Love has already gone before you.

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Let’s go love some haters.

A Journey from Hate to Love

Awhile back the Spirit revealed that I have haters. I kept asking, “What is a hater?” Then, I would say, “Never mind, I don’t want to know!”

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44

Honestly, I didn’t care about haters. They sound nasty. I don’t have time for nasty. Who does? Not me!

“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9

I never really took the time to ask who they were or what they hated—me, my ministry, my walk with Jesus? I don’t know, I don’t care to know. But as I sat with Jesus, I asked, “What is a hater?” I asked, Why do we use that word? Why does it carry so much weight in our world today?”

“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

What began as a few simple questions turned into a profound revelation: haters don’t just hate—they wound. Hurt people hurt people. People who do not know they are hurt and wounded hate people. They are wounded, and that’s all they know, so they hate. And they need healing. They need love–wave after wave of love that never stops. They need Jesus. Just like I did.

"Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23

So, now that we are on the subject, let’s talk about it: “What is a hater, what is a lover, and how does Jesus transform one into the other?”

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

What Is a Hater, Exactly?

A hater is not just someone who criticizes. A hater is someone who resists the truth of God because it confronts their brokenness and touches their wounds. Job had haters. They lash out. They compare. They mock. They attack. But underneath all that noise is a hurting heart, a wounded identity, and a desperate soul stuck in spiritual poverty. Lovers are made, called, equipped, and sent to love. True lovers love haters well. True lovers love the worst of haters!

"The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God..." Romans 8:7

The Bible gives us countless portraits of haters:

Cain hated Abel because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted, and his was not (Genesis 4).
Saul hated David out of jealousy and fear (1 Samuel 18).
The Pharisees hated Jesus because He exposed their hypocrisy (Matthew 23).

"The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

Humans reflecting hate reflect satan and his character, and that is 'hateful' toward God. Haters are full of hate because they have no love. Love has not yet touched them. And without love, the soul rots in its own pain and the world sees it as hate.

"But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15

What Is NOT a Hater?

A hater is not someone who disagrees with you. Truth tellers are often mistaken for haters, but they are not. A brother who speaks truth in love is not hating you—he’s fighting for you, because He loves you too much to stay in deception and hate.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend" Proverbs 27:6

Jesus Himself told hard truths, not out of hate but love. The difference is in the heart. Haters reject the truth to protect their pride. Lovers speak the truth to bring healing even when it costs them everything.

"Iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

What Is a Lover?

A lover is someone who has met Jesus, soaks in His presence, and has been filled with His love, transformed from the inside out, all by Grace working through love.

"We love, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Lovers are people who once were haters but now live a crucified and resurrected life of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. They love everyone, including their enemies, because they are love. They pray for their persecutors. They give their lives for others as Jesus commands.

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44

Lovers love because they have been loved. By the Grace of God, I love. I love with His love because I had none of my own.

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love." John 15:9

What Is NOT a Lover?

A lover is not a people-pleaser. Jesus loved deeply—but He also turned over tables. He called out sin. He confronted darkness. He wept for the lost. Love is not soft. Love is fierce. Love fights. His love got Him killed.

"For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

A lover does not tolerate sin but confronts it with compassion. A lover doesn’t compromise for comfort. A lover walks in truth, even when it costs them everything.

"Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" Galatians 4:16

Laying down everything, that’s called love. Haters do not understand true love.

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Who Are Haters—And Why?

Haters are everywhere. And they all have something in common: big wounds and lots of pain.

Haters are wounded. They hate because love hasn't yet healed them. They're scared. They compare. They accuse. Just like the older brother in the prodigal son story, they can’t stand the generosity of the Father (Luke 15).

"A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

Today, many Christians reject God's Grace and work hard to establish their own kingdom through self-promotion and self-protection. They’re not evil. They’re just stuck. And only Jesus can free them.

"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing." James 3:16

Sometimes, you just have to let them go and walk away, leaving them in their own vomit. Keep checking on them; you never know, they might begin to hate hate.

"So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free." John 8:36

Who Are Lovers—And Why?

Lovers are those who have gone to Jesus. They have been in the presence of God, in the presence of King Jesus at His Throne of Grace.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Subsequently, Lovers have confessed. They've surrendered. They died to self. They received the Holy Spirit. And now they walk as ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Jesus does all the work.

"Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Lovers abide in the Vine (John 15). They walk in the light. They speak the truth in love. Lovers live in the New Humanity, the New Creation, IN CHRIST."

"I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Recovering Haters

There is hope for every hater. We are all recovering haters in some way. I am!

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Paul was a violent persecutor, then met Jesus and became the apostle of Grace. Peter once lived in pain, bitterness, and survival. After being resurrected, he lived from self-sacrificing love.

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor." 1 Timothy 1:12–13

Grace is not for the perfect—it’s for the haters, the broken, the jealous, the ashamed.

“If anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation…” 2 Corinthians 5:17

How Lovers Fight for Haters

Lovers don’t avoid haters. They fight for them through love.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

Intercede: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Forgive: We forgive not just for our peace, but to open a door for their healing (Matthew 18).
Tell the Truth in Love: True lovers speak truth even when it stings. Love doesn’t lie.
Create Grace Spaces: Invite haters into your Grace Home. Let them see love up close. Radical hospitality melts cold hearts.

Jesus Loves Haters

Jesus washed Judas’ feet. He wept over Jerusalem. He restored Peter. He called Saul. Jesus is great at making lovers out of haters. There is nothing He can’t do.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

The cross is the collision point where hate meets love—and love wins.

"Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him..." Romans 6:6

If You’re a Hater... Go to King Jesus and Let Him Heal You

Confess your wounds. Repent of your hate. Receive His mercy. Surrender your old self. Let King Jesus heal you and fill you with His Spirit. Become a lover.

"The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling." 1 John 2:10

He is faithful. He will not fail you. Go to King Jesus.

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be removed from you, along with all malice." Ephesians 4:31

From Hate to Hope - Jesus’s New Humanity

This is what the Kingdom looks like:

No more bitterness.
No more jealousy.
No more hatred.

Just Jesus–FULL OF LOVE.

And those who live IN HIM live from His love. They become part of His New Humanity, the Body of Christ, a dwelling of love.

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

Reflection + Activation

Reflection Questions

When have you acted like a hater?
Who have you refused to love?
How has Jesus loved you in your darkest moment?
What would it mean to forgive your enemy?
How do you know you are a lover?

Grace Home Activation

Read Luke 15 together and identify the hater and the lover.
Each person shares one "hater moment" and how Jesus met them there.
Pray for someone in your life who has been difficult to love.
Practice radical love this week with one person you’ve been avoiding.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us..." Ephesians 2:4

Prayer of Surrender

"King Jesus, I confess that I have hated. I have judged. I have mocked. I have withheld love. But today, I surrender. I bring my wounds to You. I ask You to wash me clean. Fill me with Your Spirit. Make me a lover. Use me to love others like You loved me—especially the haters. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Final Word

You were not made to be a hater. You were made to reflect the heart of King Jesus. Go to Him now. Let Him love the hate out of you. And then go love others back to Him. Because without someone loving the haters, how else will they ever make it? Jesus loved haters. So do we.

"If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar..." 1 John 4:20