In every sport there are strange creatures known as fans, men and women who don odd hats, wear outrageous costumes, and act incredibly silly, even painting themselves, so all will know, This is my team! Usually it's all in fun, but sometimes such devotion becomes an obsession with a darker side.

Across the world, especially at football events (both international and American), you'll find fans screaming obscenities, throwing objects, yelling slurs, and fighting the fans of opposing teams as well as sometimes their own. Some become drunk, obnoxious, and often quite dangerous. Not a pretty picture.

Most don't resort to such behavior, but many have a different sinister side---one based on hatred. They hate a certain team, its players, fans, and anything else associated with it. Like devotion, their hatred becomes an obsession, in time defining who they are in the eyes of others. Hate works its way into all areas of their lives, affecting attitudes, outlooks, and especially relationships.

Brothers Sean and Colin are fiercely devoted Scottish football fans. They attend all the games, wear the team colors, and shout until they're hoarse. But there's a problem. They are fans of rival teams. Though they don't rant and rave, scream and curse, or attempt bodily harm, they deeply hate each other's team.

At every chance they put down their rivals and gladly support anyone playing against them. When their own teams clash, they won't speak for weeks. They see each other mainly at family gatherings, and though they are always civil toward one another, they never do anything together anymore. Simply put, their hatred of a football team is greater than their love for each other.

As with most things I encounter, this got me to pondering. A football team! Can you imagine? Well, you probably can. Many are like this, even within the Family of God where everyone loves and encourages each other (he said sarcastically). What must God think when we choose to divide ourselves this way? How does He feel when we hate? Well, let's look at that. What did Jesus say?

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28) Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31) If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34-35)

Hmmm. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that He takes this whole Love-Hate thing very seriously. And on several occasions, didn't He mention something about following Him? So what did He do?

Jesus walked among those who only wanted to use Him. Yet through Him, the blind received sight, the lame walked, those with leprosy were cured, the deaf could hear, the dead were raised, and salvation was preached to the poor. Still, there were those who hated Him when He didn't produce the miracle they demanded. For them...yes, for them...He died.

God hates the distance sin creates and the destruction it causes. But not those who sin. His love for them is greater than His hatred of their sin. It is so great that He came into this world, lived among them, suffered a horrible death, then rose again...so they might live forever with Him.

Maybe we shouldn't get so upset about something as trivial as football. Maybe, just maybe, loving another person is more important than a game.