Reflections

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” Galatians 5:15 HCSB

Our society has devolved into us vs them mentality.  People are more dogmatic in their beliefs and refuse to find common ground.  We no longer look to compromise or simply agree to disagree.

Years ago I had a relationship with a co-worker that was very friendly.  I was a new Christian and she was a Jehovah Witness.  We would fiercely debate our beliefs.  She was a much better debater than I was.  However, though we disagreed I really valued our relationship.  We were able to put our differences aside and still find common ground to eat lunch together and get through our work day together.  When I look back at that time I have fond memories of my co-worker.  She challenged my faith and as a result I sought God all the more and desired a deeper relationship.

Today it is so difficult to be on the opposite sides of so many issues.  We have become so dogmatic and even tribal in our beliefs on things like race, religion, politics, etc.  We are so quick to judge and condemn.  We leave no room in finding common ground or a way to forge friendships.  Instead we have drawn the battle lines and all that is happening is the destruction of relationships.  We rather carry our offenses and condemn others.  We refuse to reach across the line and extend love and friendship to others that have differences.

The Bible warns us against strife, envy, quarrels and the danger of our tongues. We are called to love our neighbors as ourself. The mark of Jesus’ true disciple is the love that we have for one another.

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“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.”

1 John4:18HCSB

It is a brand New Year. Resolve this year not to be driven by fear.  So much of what is happening in the world today is based on fear.  The media uses fear to get us to react to the news.  Governments use fear to control its citizens.  Many use fear as a tactic to gain power.  God does not give us a spirit of fear.  Fear comes from Satan.

The antidote to fear is love.  God’s perfect love drives out fear.  Often times where fear is being used, hatred is at its root.  For example, we see how ugly politics are getting.  Many politicians are using fear to justify their hatred toward a group of people.  When people are afraid often times their speech will be full of hate.

This is why we must show love.  When we show love we are driving out the spirit of fear.  This is why the Bible tells us to love our enemies.  Hatred is driven by fear but perfect love casts out fear.

We do not have to be afraid because God loves us. Be guided by God’s love in this new year. Extend that love to others. Our world would be so much different if we demonstrated God’s love toward others.

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“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV

Happy New Year! 2022 is now here and 2021 is in the past. This time of year people are making new year resolutions. Gyms will be packed this month with people promising to get in shape and lose the weight gained during the holiday season. Self cleansing recipes will be popular as people are desiring to free their bodies of all the impurities and junk they ate over the holidays.

Instead of just focusing on our outward appearance we should also focus on our spiritual lives.  The Apostle Paul is admonishing us to put off our old self that only desires what the flesh wants.  Instead we need to put on our new bodies created in Christ Jesus and renew our minds.  We are to walk in true righteousness and holiness.  Let us commit in 2022 not to allow sin to ensnare us but to be led by the Holy Spirit.

A perfect looking body means nothing if our soul is corrupted by deceitful lusts. Allow the light of Jesus to shine from within for others to see.

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