Christians Do Not Hate

Christians Do Not Hate By Kirk Hunt

 

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:20 NKJV

 

I am always disappointed when someone, claiming to be a Christian, expresses hate for others. Jesus told us the world would hate Christians. Not once did He command us to hate sinners, even in retaliation. Multiple times, He commanded us to love those who hate us.

 

Jesus said in Luke 6:27, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Perhaps the hearing part is the tricky part. Perhaps the obedient to Christ part is a different tricky part.

 

Jesus could have called down fire on various sinners and adversaries during His earthly ministry. He did not do so, even once. Instead, He died for the Pharisees who hated him. Jesus forgave His executioners during His execution. He died for you and I, even though we were sinners.

 

The Christ I serve healed foreigners and aliens. He proclaimed that He came to minister to sinners and tax collectors. May I remind you that He personally refused to condemn an adulteress, caught in the very act?

 

Condemnation ends the conversation. Conviction leads to restoration. Christians are commanded to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) of all men and women. We cannot hate the souls we expect and want to love Jesus.

 

Think: I cannot (effectively) share Jesus with someone I hate.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my love for You by loving Your (sinful) children.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2016, Kirk Hunt

 

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Christians Do Not Fear

Christians Do Not Fear By Kirk Hunt

 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:18–19 NKJV

 

In recent days it is hard to avoid the media fixation on anger among citizens, the world over. There are many potential reasons for all of that rage, but most fall short of explaining the root or true cause. Fear, on the other hand, easily explains the driving force of so much poor behavior in the world.

 

Remove fear of coming events and people will live without violence or unrest. Even when conditions are harsh or difficult, they keep their heads. When people become afraid of what will happen next, the torches and pitchforks come out. Keep in mind that neither fearful mobs nor fearful individuals make good decisions.

 

Christians of course should never give in to fear. We are loved by God Himself. The Creator looks after His own.

 

Consider also that His love drives out fear. The more you allow His care and concern for you to saturate your life, the less room there is for fear. Sound like a good deal to me.

 

If you are a son or daughter of God, you can trust in His love for you. Things may not be easy, but you can live in the confidence of His care and concern especially for you. There is no room for fear in a heart filled with God’s love.

 

Think: God’s love for me drives out my fear.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my life in Your love and without my fear.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2016, Kirk Hunt

 

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

 

Loving Under Authority

Loving Under Authority By Kirk Hunt

 

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:1–2 NKJV
Please also read Romans 13:1–14

 

The Apostle Paul commanded Christians living in Rome to obey the rule and authority of the Roman Caesars. These same Roman leaders would eventually behead the Apostle. Paul’s words, and example, remain a commandment for Christians today. Our dual citizenship in God’s Kingdom, and a secular government, leads to complexities we answer through His love and grace.

 

Christians are good citizens of God and heaven, first and foremost. When push comes to shove, His grace and love should flow out of us to the men and women who persecute us. Especially when they respond with dogs and firehoses.

 

Paul was beheaded for preaching the Gospel. Traditionally, all of the Apostles, save John, were martyred for preaching Jesus. The Apostles loved Jesus, and their pagan persecutors, more than themselves. Instead of a clenched fist they used their loving hearts to turn the authorities to Jesus.

 

Through prayer and living as authentic Christians, the Apostles turned pagan Rome into a Christian nation. No nation, or group, is so far gone that it cannot be brought, or returned, to Christ. Are you willing to live, love and potential die as a citizen of heaven?

 

Think: I am first and foremost a loving citizen of heaven. Regardless of the cost.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my life as a testimony of Your love.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

My Relationship With Poppa

My Relationship With Poppa By Kirk Hunt

 

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:52 NKJV

 

The day I was born, I was in relationship with Poppa. At first, I spent most of my time with Momma, but over the years my time and intensity with Poppa grew. Sometimes, Poppa and I had relationship, despite my protests. Through it all, my love, respect and honor for my earthly father has only grown over the years.

 

Poppa has gone to God, but his voice and teachings continue to resonate within me. My feeling about what or how he said things can be complicated. My relationship with him remains simple.

 

The day you were born, you had a relationship with Father-God. At first, you spent most of your time with parents and other leaders. I am sure you have felt the desire for a deeper relationship with Father-God, even if you did not understand at first. God’s heart has called to you from the beginning and will seek you out until the end.

 

Your relationship with a parent or other leader may have complicated your relationship with God. Still, Father-God wants a close, personal and intense relationship with you. He always has. He always will.

 

Still, I pray that you will look past even a good earthly father to our eternal God. Father-God loved you then, loves you now and will love you tomorrow. No matter how complicated your feeling for God, your relationship with Him remains simple.

 

Think: Father-God loves me.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to draw closer to You.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

 

With Lovingkindness

With Lovingkindness By Kirk Hunt

 

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

 

In recent days my heart is heavy. Too many of God’s people speak, or ardently follow those who speak, anger, hate and fear. Christians should be reaching out in lovingkindness to refugees and radicals alike. Instead with angry, unforgiving words we are pushing them back into the arms of error and sin.

 

God’s people are called to disciple all of the world. That includes reaching out in grace and patience to Muslims, Wiccans and everyone else following error instead of Christ. In order to reach a lost soul, you must first get close enough to touch them.

 

Exclusion, walls and isolation do not touch hearts and minds for Christ. Jesus reached out to us in service (Romans 5:8) with lovingkindness. Christians are commanded by Scripture (Matthew 28:19) to make disciples of all nations. Disciples are only made (or maintained) by close, personal, prolonged contact.

 

Millions of refugees from “fallen houses” (Matthew 7:26-27) seek refuge in the stability of Christian nations (Matthew 7:25). Are they receiving the gracious words and generous actions that flow from Jesus? Are Christians obeying Scripture by discipling the nations who plead at the door?

 

The world has come to us, seeking the Gospel. Christians have an unprecedented opportunity to turn back the darkness. Are we salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16) enough for the job?

 

Think: Disciples are made using open, serving hands; not angry, striking fists.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to disciple people of all nations.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.