This morning as I prepare to lead a church service with our little community here in West Yorkshire I am overwhelmed with the news in our world of disunity and blame of other. Hatred rises when fear overtakes us. We know that perfect love casts out fear. If we say we love God we must love - everyone 1 John 4:16-21 God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 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. … Everyone - yes even those we consider our enemies Jesus said in Matthew 5 v 43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. The perfection we should be seeking is in how today we show our love for one another and if we follow the way of Christ that includes those we may consider to be our enemies. This is not an easy challenge but the way of peace and love is and always will be the superior way to disunity and hatred.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 08:28:16 +0000
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