But to you who are listening I 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 (NIV)
There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus. We have to learn to abide in Him wherever we are placed. -Oswald Chambers
If you’ve reached that turning point in your life where you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior, your life began an amazing transformation for the better. He opened your eyes to truths that you never could see before, because you were blinded by what the world (and its ruler) told you was true and right.
But with that transformation likely came another one: resistance, and maybe even hostility, from those who previously walked along with you. Since your path diverged from theirs, you became alien to them, and they might lash out and remind you of your past mistakes. They will tell you what a terrible person and hypocrite you are to call yourself a follower of Christ, considering your past.
The enemy may do the same, whispering in your ear, making you doubt your new identity in Christ. Satan may get you to rewind the clock in your mind, reliving your past mistakes, tripping you up and tricking you into condemning yourself and wallowing in shame and remorse.
But your new identity in Christ frees you from condemnation, frees you from your past. You are forgiven and free. And unlike the old you, who might bash yourself into a pulp for your mistakes, you now have a Father to whom you can directly confess and repent of your sin, and be forgiven.
Christ is your constant in this world, no matter if everyone on this earth turns away from you. You do not live to please anyone but the Lord. To please Him, bless those who curse you…the ones who want you to rewind to the old person they want you to be again. Pray for them. Do good to them, and love them.
We live and love for Christ, and He will carry us no matter what happens here on earth. And what I believe you will find, fellow true believer, is that while some may turn away from you, others will come to you as you walk in His truth. We were made to worship, not win a popularity contest.
Today’s soundtrack
Chris Tomlin’s “Made To Worship” reminds us of our purpose here on earth.
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