S – The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. ¹⁰ The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1 John 2:9–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

…A Christian who can hate his fellow Christian has not genuinely escaped from the darkness of this present passing Age. To put it another way, he has much to learn about God and cannot legitimately claim an intimate knowledge of Christ. If he really knew Christ as he ought, he would love his brother.

2:10–11. By contrast, whoever loves his brother lives in the light of the new Age which has dawned in Christ (cf. v. 8). There is nothing in him (in one who loves his brother) to make him stumble. Hatred is a kind of internal “stumbling block” which can lead to disastrous spiritual falls. But the calamities to which hatred leads are avoided by one who loves his brother.

“1 John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We should not detest others.  Instead, we should love them unconditionally.  Looking to Jesus as our example, he forgave those who killed him.  He saw beyond people’s actions to see their hearts.  That is how we love those who persecute us.  We can do this when the Holy Spirit empowers us.

R – Heavenly Father, we need you to help us today.  We surrender and invite your Holy Spirit to empower us with your love, mercy and grace for others.  Allow us to see them as you see them, not as we experience their shortcomings.  We choose to love you and love people.