Did you know that in California 60% of marriages end in divorce? These couples say that they got married too fast, before they knew the other person well; they say they fell out of love; they say that they are just too different; they say they were having too many problems.
Well, there’s good news: your marriages and relationships do not have to end in divorce and separation 60% of the time. If you have Jesus to lean on in times of trouble you can ensure that your relationships do not end before their time. Click read more below to find out how to keep your relationships from ending due to problems and instead take them to the next level.
3 Reasons Not To Be A Hater
Reason 1: You get the joy that comes from helping others realize that the world is not full of evil people.
We have all felt the pain that comes from living in a divided world. Like I mentioned earlier the divorce rate in California is about 60%. That means that if you and your spouse are in a room with 9 other couples, statistically speaking, at least 6 of the couples will be divorced soon.
But there are other ways we can see division in our world as well. Family Break-ups are just one of the many. There is also division in the church. Think about it. When you walk in to church I’m sure you have noticed something called cliques right? Division is rampant in our world.
Every single person has felt hurt and anger. Everyone has been “burned”, cheated, lied to/about, gossiped about. All of these serve only to keep us from
connecting to those around us. And if everyone is always on guard to protect themselves from getting hurt, no one will ever connect and everyone will only look out for themselves.
“And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God.” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 Voice
So, when one light, one person, shines in this bleak world they become a beacon to all the lost and broken and disconnected. Just when it seemed that there were no decent human beings left in the world that light comes along to show the broken the way that is Jesus Christ and Love.
And when you become that light for someone else it makes you feel good doesn’t it. Picture giving someone a gift. It’s more blessed to give than to receive isn’t it. When we make other people feel loved we feel the joy of the Lord.
Reason 2: You get to show people the Glory of God when you let love win your battles
When you let love win your battles instead of letting hate and anger win them your response is often so unexpected that people know that you are different and the Glory of God can shine through you.
Just like individuals, the church will shine when it lets love win instead of letting anger and hatred win. When the church has the same attitude, the same Spirit of division that the world has, the glory of God can’t be seen because we are no different from them.
The church is the extension of Christ’s work in the world today. Each and everything that we do sends a message about who Jesus is and what he is about.
The church is the only way that the world can see the glory of God and if we look the same as everyone else, how can they know that we follow Jesus? They can’t.
“So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you, and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others.” John 13:34-35
“All the glory You have given to Me, I pass on to them. May that glory unify them and make them one as We are one, 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be refined so that all will know that You sent Me, and You love them in the same way You love Me.” John 17:22-23
Thought the power and glory of the risen Christ, we have the power to lead the life that he has asked us to live. A life led by love. A life where anger, hatred, and division have no hold so that God may be glorified through you.
And, if this is not incentive enough…
Reason 3: There is a REWARD for giving others love instead of hate. Especially when they don’t deserve love.
Let me explain. First, there is a place in God that you and I will never attain until we receive our enemy.
“Not paying back evil with evil or insult with insult, but repaying the bad with a blessing. It was this you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9
By giving a blessing you will receive a blessing.
Jesus is saying that we really don’t reap from doing good to people who do good to us. Luke 6:35 says, “’If you love those who love you what credit to you.'” But when you love your enemies Jesus says, ‘reward will be great.’ But best of all Jesus says, “You will be sons of the Most High.”
We have to work at loving both our neighbor and our enemy.
The Bible says that the world will know that we belong to Jesus when we are loving, forgiving, and unified. So, for all of the reasons listed above I challenge you to be a beacon in a dark world by loving the broken.
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