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May 11, 2009

The World Is Watching

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READ: John 13:31-35

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. —John 13:35

My friends were serving in a ministry that was directed mainly to Christians when an opportunity came for them to change jobs and touch the lives of thousands of nonbelievers. They decided to make what they believed to be an exciting change.

Many people, even some who didn’t personally know them, were shocked and accused them of seeking fame and fortune in the world. But believing that Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), they decided to pursue what they considered an even greater opportunity to serve the “lost” in their community.

They said later, “Some Christians were so cruel to us, and wrote hateful e-mails. Our new non-Christian friends were kinder to us than our fellow Christians. We didn’t understand that, and were hurt deeply.” They told me that their desire was to follow God’s directive to be “salt” and “light” in the world (Matt. 5:13-14).

When someone we know is making a decision or change, it can be helpful to ask about his or her motives. But we can’t fully know another’s heart. We don’t want to “bite and devour” our fellow Christians (Gal. 5:15), but instead to love them in a way that others will know we are Jesus’ followers (John 13:35). The world is watching.

We join our hearts and hands together,
Faithful to the Lord’s command:
We hold each other to God’s standards—
All that truth and love demand. —D. De Haan

Only God sees the heart.
Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 13-14; John 2

We are to pray for our enemies

“Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Public Domain
Matthew 5:44-48 (Young's Literal Translation)

44.but I — I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,

45.that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.

46.`For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

47.and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?

48ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who [is] in the heavens is perfect.”