1 Corinthians 13:6, 7

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres ~ 1 Corinthians 13:6, 7


Love really does conquer it all, if only the world would see that! The world lives in a semi-comatose environment, seeing everything through tainted eyes and a hurting heart. Hatred, anger, loneliness, prejudice, lies, all stem from hearts which are full of rejection, hurt, distortions, and verbal slings. These are hard to overcome, hard to work past when the only images around have the same defeating vices to mirror. We live amongst a world which can find no peace, joy, or love. It longs for it, yet it also rejects that which would bring it – the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We in the church love with the love of Christ because we have known His love. It is above all we have sensed or touched before. The love of Christ shows clearly what is truth, protection, trust, hope, and perseverance. Christ walked the trail from the cradle to the cross living out all these aspects of character. He is our model, our mentor, our image to look to and to see what real love looks like. Our job is to share that love with a world which has become much like the 1st century church awoke within. The Roman Empire was as much against Christianity as our modern world is. We therefore, have to find ways to show the love of Christ to those we encounter which feel the pain and hurt of this world so deeply. We can only do so by living among them. It is hard to be a disciple of Christ, for living among them in our day means often we are criticized and ostracized…but, our cross is much lighter than the cross Jesus carried for us all. We have to remember that when persecutions come our way, and then, continue to love in Christ’s name!

Pastor Julia

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