Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. -1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. -John 17:16 (NIV)
In a world full of bad news, discouraging news, and hurtful people, this is where we believers can show we may be in the world, but we aren’t of it.
When people are hurtful or hateful to you, you have a choice to spread the infection of hate further, or stand up to it and face it with love. It’s not easy, but love is ultimately stronger than hate. It takes more strength to be loving, but it endures far better than hate, because it runs far deeper.
Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven for His disciples:
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. -John 17:14-16 (NIV)
Because we are set apart from this world, and sanctified by His Word, we can live and love above earthly circumstances, and love beyond them.
When you don’t have the strength or even will to love, ask God to give it to you. With God’s love and strength and joy in us, we can victoriously bear, believe, hope, endure, and power through situations and seasons we couldn’t survive alone. Because of His Good News, we can ask Him to flow through us to actively make good news and light in a very dark world.
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