Change & Love

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

Abrupt change is never easy. It is hard. Sudden change shocks our system, our values, and our vision. Emotions easily stir, tempers flair, questions are asked, and lines are drawn… Yet, in the midst of change there is a better way…

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.“ (1 Corinthians 13:4-13).

We are not called to fight our battles… we are called to faith, to hope, and to love. These do not come naturally but supernaturally… through the leading of the soft voice, the broken heart, the blood stained hands of our Savior.

“…brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Troubling times have come and will continue. “These things must come to pass”(Matthew 24:6), Jesus said, who also said that “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

‘Jesus, help us to stand and shine as lights. And while standing burn the very fleshy minds and carnality out of us. Make us worthy to carry your name to the ends of this earth and to you be the glory, the honor, and the praise.’