I have many friends who are hurting, who are angry, who don’t see the point in believing in a God, who in their experience won’t truly love them for who they are anyway. These people that I love have been bruised, burned and scarred by the Church, by people who claim to be Christ followers but have been poor examples of who he calls us as Christians to be. We can’t be the ones to change their hearts.  Only God can do that, but if they are to open their hearts so God can move, they must see witnesses acting as we are called. The more hurt we cause those who are already unsure about God, the more likely it is they refuse to approach God. The more light we shine on others and accredit the work of Jesus in our lives, the more people will be drawn in. God doesn’t force his way into our hearts because he gave all people he created the choice to love him and believe in his mighty power. 

All people are uniquely created. We all have varying beliefs. The foundational belief is that Jesus Christ lived, died on the Cross, remained in the tomb until the 3rd morning when he arose fully alive, and is our Lord and Savior who ascended into Heaven to sit beside God on the Throne until he is to return! 

Even if we don’t share the same beliefs, we are still called to love all people. We are called to love our enemies. I’m not sure if I consider people I interact with who frustrate me, my enemies, but even one ill thought about another is against what we have been commanded. Some of the greatest advice I have heard on fighting past the wall of dislike and aggravation that can build up over time about people in our lives, was to pray for those people because it is difficult to have negative feelings toward someone you are praying for.

“You will never look into the eyes of someone God does not love”

Jesus prayed that we may be like him so that the WORLD would come to know and love him in unity! 

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The following 2 songs are reminders that those of us who call ourselves Christians are called to love EVERYONE as Jesus loves!

In the words of Paul:

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Christians forget that we don’t have to check off a bunch of boxes to be loved and accepted. We can get caught up in the doing and not in the being. Why I bring this up here is that sometimes we forget our calling, we forget that our ultimate purpose as those who follow Christ is to go and make disciples. If I’m not being genuine in taking time to prioritize sharing The Gospel through my words and actions, then I’m not expressing love to others like I’m commanded to do. I could put up a front on social media, at church, and even out in public, but if I do this, it can diminish trust from others who interact with me. I try not to sugarcoat anything. I also try not to hide when I’m going through trials. Instead, I seek prayer from my community in Christ. We are better together. We are also called to share the Truth!

Many didn’t like what Jesus had to say and those who followed him were punished by those who killed Jesus. The hate and abuse of those who call on Christ didn’t end when the Bible was complete. It’s happening to this day. The Good News that God is more powerful than all the darkness and destruction can give us hope that when we obey and love all, treating them with kindness, we have done our part.  Even if they disagree with every belief we have, we are called to love. Loving others doesn’t mean we have to agree, and if what they believe goes against Scripture, it’s important as a Christian to call it out but not judge others. We can rest in knowing that all we go through on this planet will be worth it when we stand face to face with our Maker! 

John’s message to believers is:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us… If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them… Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭12‬, ‭15‬-‭16‬, ‭‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This final song is a challenge to those that are still unsure about starting a relationship with Jesus. Again, I beg you, don’t let the people of this world keep you from the Creator of the world, who had a beautiful plan for each of us before sin came to Earth. One day, Jesus will return and all who believe will be made new! 

If you put other humans on a pedestal, we will fall! If you look up to Jesus sitting on his Throne, he will crown you his daughter or son in the Holy Kingdom that awaits all who call Jesus the Lord over their hearts, minds, and lives. Just give Jesus a chance! Life isn’t magically easier, Jesus did say there will be trouble. Because we have the power of his Spirit living inside us, once we accept him as our Savior, we know we can withstand any battle and still be victorious!  Jesus conquered the greatest battle of all, death. Jesus won the WAR that Satan keeps desperately trying to win even though he knows his time to steal, kill, and destroy is limited. We have victory in Jesus to overcome any obstacle in our way! 

These are the words of Jesus:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If you want to learn more about what it means to call on Jesus to save you from the darkness and bring you into his light, PLEASE feel free to reach out to me! 

If you haven’t already, check out Part 1 of these 2 posts, Where is the Hope?