Today’s scripture: 1 John 4:4-11 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Mark Shoup):
As the closest thing to a receptionist that our church has, it sometimes falls to me to receive and respond to hate-filled emails and phone calls from other Christians who feel it is their duty to marginalize and verbally persecute the members of our church.
These usually don’t bother me much, but lately the unusual harshness and sheer volume has begun to wear on me and trouble me even when I’m not at work. What bothers me is not what these people are saying — I really don’t value their opinions that much — but rather how someone claiming to be a Christian could be so filled with hate, particularly against another follower of Christ.
It honestly makes me want to not identify myself as a Christian sometimes, because of the bad reputation some have given to that name. I know that as soon as you say you are Christian, some will immediately think “Oh, like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dobson!” and I really don’t want to be lumped in with that brand of Christianity.
When I’m feeling this way, two things help me restore perspective. The first is scriptures like this one that say opposition to the message of Christ, even from those claiming to speak for God, will happen and is to be expected.
The second is to think about the real, historical Jesus and how he conducted himself. He was not filled with hate, nor did he encourage that kind of attitude in others. His judgment was reserved for those who were persecuting or marginalizing others, not for those simply doing the best they could under their circumstances.
Thought for the day: When you are propagating a message of hope, love, and acceptance, and someone tells you that you are in opposition to what Jesus stood for, they simply do not know Christ. “Whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.