09-10-19

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 10, 2019
Scripture: 1st John 3:13-14
Don’t be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have transferred from death to life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The person who does not love remains in death.

Thought for the Day: In our culture, there is some hate toward Christianity and other religions. My concern is that it is mostly for the wrong reasons. When I read the headlines, there is reason: Another church protecting a minister who committed sexual assault or another tv preacher who bought his third personal jet because God told him to do it. There is some general loathing toward the church, and Christians specifically, but it is not the way 1st John was suggesting. I have heard pastors quote these words as defense for all kinds of bizarre, immoral or even illegal actions. As strange as it may sound, let’s be hated for all the right reasons. Let’s be so disgustingly loving, forgiving and compassionate that it troubles those who are in the business of intolerance and inflicting cruelty. No one wants to be hated, but if you’re going to be hated, be hated for the right stuff.

Prayer: With each morning, O God of Transformation, provide me a rebirth in the spirit of love. Give me the courage to live in this spirit no matter the pushback I might receive from the world around me. I ask this in the name of Jesus who shows me how to live in love. Amen.

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