Easter Sunday!

Happy, happy Easter! Our Lord has risen- he has risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Today is a day to rejoice! Jesus has conquered sin and death! He has given us a connection with God that we could not of reached without him! Let's take a moment to thank Jesus for his priceless gift!

What a perfect reminder of Jesus' s unfading love. This blog, God Never Fades, is all about the lasting love of our Savior.  The sacrifices that Jesus gave up for you and I truly show just how much he really does love us!

Today we celebrte His unfailing love that has lasted for thousands of years. This is a love that isn't new, but isn't going anywhere. His love is here to stay.

There might be days after the Easter sweetness wears off and we forget just how great this love is. But who is always there thinking about us? Why the person who we are celebrating today, that's who!

If you're like me, you probably have cross jewelry. Look at it today. Examine its true meaning more than you have before. Understand its importance. Love its message. Remember the Savior who hung on that cross. Thank him! Love him! Praise him!

Our Savior suffers no more! He has resurrected! Rejoice!

"He has risen!" Matthew 28:6

Good Friday

Today,  two thousand years ago, at 3 o' clock, Jesus breathed his last breath. It's rather awe inspiring to think of.

After hours of beatings, mockery, carrying and hanging on a cross, as well as wearing a crown of thorns, Jesus  said his last words: "It is finished."

Our King humbled himself one last time today. After all of the humiliation and pain that Jesus endured, he will now rise up above it all. He laughed in the face of death, sin, and despair. He crushed it all. It (sin) truly is finished.

I have always felt that Good Friday should be called Black Friday, and that Black Friday should be called Good Friday. Then, Black Friday would be a day of sadness, and Good Friday would be a day of good deals, instead of the other way around!

Regardless of our feelings of sorrow on this Friday, it actually is a good day. While the death of our Lord Jesus is not a pleasant story, it is important.

Without Jesus, our sins would define us. We would have no way to Heaven, except through perfection. Let's face it though, Heaven would be rather empty if this were the case. Jesus saved us from our sins by humbling himself. The perfect man died for us and our imperfections.

Jesus was and is the crucial bridge between us and God!

The day might seem black, but the deal that we received out of today was better than any after Thanksgiving bargain, because we were gifted eternal life and eternal love!

Eternal life was won for us today! The devil can no longer rule over us! Our sin no longer determines nor defines us! Rejoice because it is finished! The Devil has no strongholds over us!

Please read John 18:1-19:42 for the whole Crucifixion story; the greatest love story ever known. Don't just read it... feel it, picture it, understand what this story entails for you... for me.

Have a blessed Good Friday...The day when hope for eternity began.

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday...today is the last celebration of our Lord Jesus before his Crucifixion. This evening was his last evening on earth as a human being. I can't even imagine how he must of felt. Knowing that he was going to be betrayed by Judas, Peter would deny even knowing him, and the most terrifying of all... the Crucifixion. Today was his last night before the pain and suffering that we can't even begin to imagine. 

Today was the Last Supper of Jesus. On this day thousands of years ago, tonight was the Passover and Jesus was dining with his disciples. Before they dined, Jesus humbled himself once again. He washed his disciples feet. The King washed the feet of lowly sinners. Back then, the roads were not paved, and men and women did not have sneakers or socks to cover their feet from dirt and grime... those had to of been some pretty dirty feet! 

"It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "Not just my feet but wash my hands and my head as well!" 

Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one of them was clean.  

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place."Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord', and rightly so, for this is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do."          John 13: 1-17

Once Jesus had washed all twelve of the disciple's feet, they sat down to eat. I am sure that you have seen Leonardo da Vinci's painting, 'The Last Supper'. In fact, you might just have a copy hanging in your home. As I type this, I can look across at my family's painting. Attention is immediately drawn to Jesus standing in the middle, blessing the food and drink. You can almost hear him say, "Take and eat".

Last year I was confirmed. This is my first year being able to take communion, and it is a special feeling to be able to dine with Jesus and have my sins forgiven in a special ritual. This year more than ever, the Lord's Supper, or Maundy Thursday, seems to mean more than it ever has before. Being able to connect with Jesus in this way now is humbling.

If I can feel like this two thousand years later, imagine how the disciples felt that night!

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink for it, all of you. This is my blood, which is shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins. I tell you, I will not drink from the fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."               Matthew 26: 26;29

Even though we know what tomorrow will be, Jesus does give us hope in that we will be able to join him in Heaven, at the Father's table. That is what Easter is all about. Our sins being forgiven so that we may be able to join God in Heaven. Without Jesus, we would be missing that crucial step in which our sins are forgiven. Without Jesus, we wouldn't make it to Heaven.

Today, let it be a day of celebration! Jesus has washed us clean so that we may join with our Father in Heaven! Rejoice!

Prayers for Brussels

I am shocked and in tears. I am in disbelief once again that human beings could cause each other so much pain. Anger boils up within me. Sadness simmers. I can't decide which feeling I am.

How could this happen again? A beautiful place like Brussels, encompassed in terror and hatred. How could they? Human beings just like you and I completing such a monstrous attack... it's just so hard for me to fathom that there are actual souls behind their human face.

Minutes ago I found out what happened. Yesterday I had declared today tech-free for me, so I hadn't read any articles or watched any news segments. I just signed on moments ago to complete my daily Bible devotion. How glad I am to be alone now with God and my prayers.

Today, I felt that my daily Bible devotion was very fitting for today.

"He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against His land and His people. The Lord has spoken!   Isaiah 25:8

I pray that God will give His peace to everyone affected. I pray that He will guide the families of those who were killed. I pray that the first aid workers will be given strength. I pray that God will protect those sent to protect... police, army, and anyone else who courageously serves in this time of need. I pray that God will heal the wounded. I pray that God will justly punish those that feel that terrorizing innocent people is okay. I pray that you and I will forgive them for such actions. I pray for love.

Remember, God is always here. The earth is a dirty, sinful place. Bad things will happen. We will suffer and cry. God will clense us from our sorrows and will destroy all evil. God will be here with peace that passes all understanding.

Easter is so close now. Today more than ever, the meaning of Easter should shine through. Jesus came to this disgusting, sin-filled earth to die and save us from our sins. Because of Jesus, we have hope for tomorrow and for eternal life. We can live free now and forever because Jesus died.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. "
                                            
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Taking a Bribe in Lieu of Your Beliefs

The other day at school, a boy asked me, "If I gave you five-hundred dollars, would you cuss?" Knowing my ethics and the person that they've known for the past six years, I'm sure that it did not surprise them when I said, "No."

A few of my classmates stood around and gave their opinion:

"For five-hundred dollars, I would say a thousand bad words!"

"They're just words..."

"I'm a Christian, and no where in the Bible does it say that you shouldn't cuss." 

I should mention that all of these kids (minus the boy) do in fact say that they are Christians.

So many Bible Verses flooded my mind... Ephesians 4:29, James 1:26, and James 3:9-11. Of course the Bible talks about not cursing!  It's even one of the 10 Commandments! (Exodus 20) Besides, could you honestly say that God applauds filthy language?

To be honest, I get asked questions like this all of the time. Questions ranging from one extreme to the next. No one ever seems surprised at my answer, but they are very quick to retaliate with their own opinions.

The boy asked another question: "Why?"
Without even thinking, I quickly replied. "It's not worth it."
No one said anything. The conversation just dropped off. A few minutes later the bell rang and we went our separate ways to our next classes.

I'm not really sure why the conversation ended. "It's not worth it" isn't exactly a shocking statement. Perhaps it made them think about their own actions. Perhaps they got bored contrasting my same old reply. I really can't say.

What I can say, however, is that we Christians should not be willing to give up on our beliefs so quickly. Money should never be worth more than pleasing God.

Martyrs die for their beliefs. Christians are persecuted and killed just for saying that they believe in a higher force. While death isn't pretty, I would be proud to say that I stood up for God. God is worth more than life itself. God is worth more than money. God is worth more than anything else. God is eternal life.

If you ever feel like God is not worth it, please rethink. With Easter coming up in a week, now is better than ever to give this lesson. God called upon Jesus to save us from our sins. Jesus prayed often that he wouldn't have to experience such pain and suffering, but he knew that that was God's plan. He didn't try to get out of it. He didn't claim that he didn't know God. He didn't deny that he was indeed King. Jesus accepted his suffering because he knew that God was worth it. He knew that God was the greatest cause he could ever stand up for. And aren't you glad that he did?

Guys, the point is that people want to see you fall. They want to see you sin. They want to see you succumb to what society says is cool. We Christians are supposed to be an example though. Don't let anyone bribe you away from your beliefs. Trust me. When you are on your deathbed, would you rather be proud to say that you lived a life best fit to God's path, or you strayed onto society's path? It's your choice. Personally, I would not choose the latter.

To be honest, if someone did give me five-hundred dollars to cuss, how would I feel about that money? It wouldn't be money well earned, now would it? Sinning is the same deal. Someone tells you to sin, but does it ever feel good in the end? Is it satisfying? No. Choose God. Choose satisfaction. You will be glad that you did.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."  James 1:26

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"  James 3: 9-11

"And you must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching." Titus 2:7 

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Springtime is Here!

Hello, all! It is officially Spring! Well, actually yesterday, March 20th (also Palm Sunday!) was the First Day of Spring. I didn't want to take away from yesterday's festivities and celebrations though, so here is my Spring post!

I decided to compile some of my favorite- old and new- Bible Verses about Spring and new beginnings, because isn't that what Spring is- a time for new weather, plants, and little creatures? But one thing that we can count on is our familiar, unchanging, and perfect God!

"Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the seasons of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air." Song of Solomon 2:11-12

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."         Hebrews 13:8

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

"Then God said, "Let the land sprout with vegetation- every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation- all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:11-12

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth." Psalm 104:14

 "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; and new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his lifespan? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Matthew 6:25-34

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone." Zechariah 10:1

"Spring flowers are in blossom all over. The whole world's a choir- and singing! Spring warblers are filling the forest with sweet arpeggios. Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed, and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms. Oh, get up, dear friend, my fair and beautiful lover- come to me!" Song of Solomon 2:12-13

"Rain down, you heavens from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it." Isaiah 45:8

"The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise Him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere!" Isaiah 61:11

 "Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen." James 5:7

Happy Spring, all! Have a lovely Monday! 

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday. One of my absolute favorite days in the church calendar. I love the singing, the swaying of the palm branches, and the celebration. It is a bittersweet celebration, knowing that in just a few, short days Jesus will have suffered the Crucifixion. 

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem for the Passover. The people of Jerusalem were so excited for Jesus' arrival. They covered the streets in their clothes and waved palm branches while shouting "Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David!" Jesus rode in on a donkey, not as if he were a king (which He is!), but humbled himself and wore simple cloths. 

Palm Sunday is a Sunday reminding us of what is to come. We know that Christ is coming. He is coming to carry the burden of the cross and our sins. He will suffer and he will be tortured and mocked. The great King will once again humble himself to save us. We are reminded of this one last time. He humbled himself by coming to earth as a baby born in a manger. He humbled himself by healing others. He humbled himself by washing the feet of his disciples. He humbled himself by dying on the cross.

We are reminded that even though he suffered humiliation, he will rise above it, rise above death. 

"The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his was to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 

"Hosanna!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Blessed is the King of Israel!" 

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: "Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. Now the crowd was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"                John 12:12-19

The story is also found several other places in the Bible. (In Matthew 21, Luke 19, and Mark 11) This goes to show you that this is a day of anticipation and excitement! It is a day to be celebrated and remembered! This is a reminded for us of Jesus' triumphant return as our King and Savior!

         "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

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Trusting in God

On Wednesday, my class took an Algebra II test. Math is not one of my strongest subjects and it never has been. Nonetheless, I've always had a good grade in that class. I felt pretty good about the test. I turned it in and sighed a sigh of relief. Math tests are stressful for me.

I had started to come down with a sore throat kind of thing, it wasn't too serious, but I didn't really feel very well throughout the entire test. I didn't think much of it during the test, but afterwards I started to worry. 

I had never taken a test when I was sick. I wasn't sure that I had thought through things clearly. Suddenly I began to reexamine the test in my mind, trying to resolve each problem. I felt sick to my stomach thinking about everything that I probably did wrong. I felt as if I had answered everything wrong. I felt like my grade would go down in shambles. I didn't trust myself. 

For the past two nights, I have waken up out of a dead sleep, worrying about that test. During the day while I slept (from being sick) I would just wake up in cold sweats and immediately my mind flew towards that test. I was so worried that I cried myself, the warm tears making my feverish face even hotter. 

I have never been like this before. I have taken harder tests than this one... in fact I've been less worried about finals. I even told a fellow classmate who had missed the test that it was pretty easy, and that she would be fine. I have no idea why I was so worried, I guess I would say that it had to do with me being sick. Most of all, though, I have no idea why I let worry consume me. 

Every time I have a test, I spend a significant amount of time studying for it. I also spend time praying to God, asking Him to help me study efficiently and to help me do well on my tests. This always calms me down and always seems to help me- and my grades! 

As per usual, before the test I prayed to God to let Him know that I felt pretty nervous and that I needed His help to stay calm and to help me do the best that I could on this test. I felt calm and took the test. 

As the day progressed, worry flooded my mind. I just knew that I was going to get a bad grade. I knew it. I waited for the teacher to post the grade, checking the online grades every 30 minutes. Usually, I trust God, knowing that He was there with me to help me study, and He was there with me during the test. I began to replace God with worry. At times I felt like saying "Oh, God! Why? Why are you going to let me fail?"  This put even more worry on me. I couldn't control it anymore. I replaced God with another distraction... TV or internet. I had to find a way to get my mind off of things. 

These things worked pretty well. Once I got into a movie or a new episode, worry floated away. But, movies only last so long. Once they were over, the worry came back. Substitutes for God NEVER work. 

I had forgotten some verses that I even have hanging up on the walls of my house. 

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus."                                                          Philippians 4: 6-7  

"Cast all of your cares on Him, because He cares."          1 Peter 5:7 

I was so caught up in my grade that I forgot that there is an alternative to worry: and that is God. In science class the other day, we were talking about sugar substitutes. Sugar substitutes are extremely harmful. They are practically rat poison. Little do we humans know, but sugar substitutes cause more damage than actual sugar. Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon for sugar-free stuff, but do you really know what you are replacing it with? Do you really know what you are getting yourself into?

The same goes for God. We think that we are totally okay with replacing God with some cheap substitute, like worry, drugs, money, etc. We think that we can make it on our own without Him. How does that affect us though? Not in good ways. It either kills us, or makes us addicted. Cheap substitutes are no match for the love of God.

Sometimes, you might get dragged up on the bandwagon. You might let substitutes replace God. You might think that these substitutes are the better route at times. Trust me though, they are NOT. Worry causes nothing but unnecessary pain and suffering, as do things like drugs, money addictions, food, and ______ (fill in the blank).

You can however, trust in God, putting your cares on Him and praying to Him. He will help you through times of suffering and sorrow. Unlike those cheap substitute we were talking about before, God actually cares. God knows what you need. He knows that you need peace. As said in Philippians 4: 6-7, God has "a peace that surpasses all understanding". Let God transfer some of that peace to you. Jump off the bandwagon and walk beside the Lord.

God's way might not be the quicker way to get where you want to go, but it is the better and more effective way. Trust in Him above all things. This will change you. Worrying about everything changes nothing, except your state of mind and your mood... and not in a good way.

Don't let worry consume you. Worrying is just wasting precious time that you could be spending in much more fulfilling ways. The next time you feel like you need something to get through a hard time, and that something is not God, I want you to make a list. Make a list of all of the ways you could be spending your time instead of spending your time with a cheap substitute. Here's an example:

Instead of ______ (for me I would write Worrying) I Could: 
- Spend time with God
- Spend time with my family
- Read a book
- Go outside
- Read the Bible
- Ride my bike
- Help someone with a difficult task
- Help someone unexpectedly

Have a lovely week! I pray that you will rid yourself of any substitute that you have for God. Let Him help you, care for you, love you, and give you peace. 

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Amen

(P.S. If you were wondering, I just checked the online grade... I didn't do too shabby on my test- all that worrying for nothing!)

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The New Kid

It was an ordinary day in our tiny high school. The clock ticked, pencils scratched, and homework was given. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Suddenly, math class hit. The teacher hovered around a desk, shuffling papers and a textbook onto the surface. I couldn't see what she was doing at first until she moved. Suddenly, a new face popped out from behind her. His face was solemn. He was quiet. He looked uncomfortably out of place.

I smiled over at him, but nothing. It was his first day at a new school. I'm sure that he was terrified. A few years ago when I was the new kid, I knew exactly how he felt.

Everything just seems so different, so scary, so "I-want-to-go-back-to-where-I-came-from-I-hate-it-here-please-let-me-leave!" I knew his face. I read his behavior. I'm sure that right about now he is at home thinking about having to go back tomorrow to a school where no one knows his face.

The new kid is usually an outcast, unless you are super popular and talkative, then you fit in right away. He doesn't seem to be one of those kids. No one talked to him. No one acknowledged him. No one even seemed to pay attention to him. He is in several of my classes. I observed this in all of them. I tried to smile over at him whenever I could, but it's hard.

It's hard to put yourself out there to a person you don't know. You don't know how they will react. You don't know how to talk to this person. You don't want to scare them!

My last class... he sits in front of me now. I tried to talk to him. My mouth opened...nothing came out. My voice squeaked slightly, but words were anywhere but in my mouth. I'm sure that I did not help his loneliness. My teacher said that we were going to pair up in groups. I almost asked him to be in mine... before my friends called me over to be in theirs. There wasn't any room left for another person to join. I watched him sit in his desk, alone, waiting for someone to ask him. Someone did... the teacher.... she asked him to go to a group.

I feel guilty. I know that I wasn't the person that God would want me to be. God would've wanted me to say "hi".

"Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."                                                                                 Romans 15:7

At my church, every Sunday morning we sing this song whether we have visitors or not:

"There's a Welcome here, there's a Welcome here, there's a Christian welcome here!" 

It's a short and sweet song, but it is extremely meaningful. I remember the first time walking into church and hearing that song. It made me feel like I belonged. It made me feel as though others cared about me. It made me feel, well, welcome!

Jesus always loved those he encountered. He knew them not, but he loved them immediately. He healed them, talked with them, and just welcomed them into his arms.  With Jesus, there truly was a welcome there. We are to be like Jesus. We need to welcome with open arms, like Jesus did.

Today, I admit that I failed at doing this. There is always a tomorrow, though! Tomorrow, I pray that God will show me the way to welcome the new boy. I pray that God will show me how to show him that there is a welcome here, at our school. I know that years ago when I was new, knowing that I was welcome made me feel like I was right at home school. ☺

This doesn't just apply to new members of your school, church, or work. It applies to our everyday life, even with those that we know. Say "good morning!" or just simply smile. A little bit of love and happiness goes a long way. I feel that a smile is one of the most welcoming tokens that you can give.

Have a lovely week. I hope that you feel welcome and make others feel welcome wherever you go!

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Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Game!

I'm sure that you've heard that before- "Hate the Game, not the Player!" While it's not usually directed to a Godly topic, it sure can be!

If you read my last blog post, you'll remember that I was talking about hatred and anger in a negative way, as a sin, or temptation. Anger is a horrid emotion that makes you hate other people which we are supposed to love. We anger at their sins, and we seem to think of their sins as a direct correlation to the human behind them.

Instead of hating the sins that the sinner has committed, we hate the sinner himself. 

Last year, there was a prominent Christian role-model, a man who had stood up for his beliefs for his whole life. It was even a part of his job. He shocked the nation when it was revealed that he had committed some very scandalous sins. Everyone was shocked. The internet exploded. Hatred was- and is- spewed all over the web. Comments quickly flooded everywhere. "What a hypocrite! What a disgusting man! Predator!" etc, etc. You get the point. 

People hated him. They focused on all of the mistakes that he had made. His face no longer represents good moral values. Instead, a bad reputation. 

A little while back, I came across a Bible verse. At first I wasn't quite sure what to think. 

"O Lord, shouldn't I hate those who hate you? Shouldn't I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies."                                                                                                                               Psalms 139:21-22

Aren't we supposed to love our enemies? I was quite shocked. Advice from the Bible telling us to...hate our enemies? I searched through the Bible more. Actually, I remembered the verse from a sermon at church. Sure enough, I turned to it:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."                                                                                                                                Matthew 5:43-44

So which is it? Love your enemy or hate your enemy? Well, I can tell you that it is NOT the latter! God wants us to love our neighbor. After all, Jesus himself said that it is one of the greatest commandments (next to loving God)

"What am I supposed to hate then?" 

You are supposed to hate the sin. Hate everything evil and impure. Hate anything that does not please God. Hate the game, not the player, or in this case, hate the sin, not the sinner.

"If anyone claims,"I am living in the light," but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness."                                                                                             John 2: 9-11

Hating sin and letting sin anger you is a good type of hatred and anger! We are supposed to hate the abdominal things that God hates! There is a line between hating sin and hating those who sin. Find that line, and stand on the side which hates the sin. Let's be honest, hating the sinner isn't getting you anywhere but darkness.

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