1 John 2:9-17
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Reasons for Writing
12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
On Not Loving the World
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Sadness overwhelms our hearts as we try to understand the news coming out of Charlottesville, Virginia…such hatred, bigotry, and pure evil. My brain still cannot process the still image of human beings flying through the air after being struck by a car…the motive – hate! In an effort to draw peace to my senses, I quickly reverted to music. I was reminded of the precious song, “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
Jesus Loves the Little Children
Words by C. Herbert Woolston, music by George F. Root
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world.
Jesus died for all the children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus died for all the children
Of the world.
Jesus rose for all the children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus rose for all the children
Of the world.
There is such truth in this song. God loves each and every one of us so much that He sent His very own Son, Jesus Christ, to take on human form to live and ultimately die as the perfect sacrificial lamb; He came to take away the sins of the world. God does not discriminate; His grace and mercy belong to all those who call upon His name. So you see dear friends, our world does not have just a hate problem; our world has a SIN problem! We must come to the end of ourselves and accept Jesus in order to break the chains of such evil. Deliverance from hate, envy, intolerance, and pride await those who seek the mercy seat!
As we pray for this community, the injured, our nation and beyond, ask that God equips each of us to be salt and light! Pray that those with hardened hearts and evil motives, which are borne out of hate, experience a “Road to Damascus Conversion” story that only the Holy Spirit can create. I am asking God the Father to revive the hearts of each believer where His love will be made known and His fame will grow.
Ultimately, hate NEVER WINS! I choose love. I choose to be the hands of feet of Jesus. I pray that this will ignite your passion and drive to follow His lead as well. We must remember that all are precious in His sight – ALL! As you reflect upon our current culture, ask yourself, “What can I do?” Trust me…revival does not start by erecting tents and booking the best choirs. Revival starts in you!
“All are precious in His sight!”
Question: Do you believe we can ignite a “Road to Damascus” conversion story within our current culture and nation? YES I BELIEVE
Thankful,
Christian Armetta
My Deliverer 