![]() That is love unspeakable! ( Titus:2:14) says, “He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” Jesus humbled Himself to save us. Imagine having all the power of God available to you and instead choosing to go through the pain, suffering and death required by God’s plan to save the world. Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” ( Matthew:26:52-54). “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Peter tried to defend Jesus against the mob who came to arrest Jesus and even cut a man’s ear off! Jesus healed the man and responded, “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. He was victorious in this struggle even as His closest friends who He brought to support Him-slept. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” ( Matthew:26:39). “He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. He asked God if there was any other way, but if not, He was willing to submit to His will. Jesus struggled in the garden right before His arrest, knowing what He would face on the cross. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Instead, He gave up His divine privileges He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. ( Philippians:2:6-8) says, “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. He did not have to He chose to because of His love for us. Jesus chose to endure persecution, suffering and even death for us. We must be willing to not only listen, but to humble ourselves and allow God’s love mercy, and forgiveness to flow through us. Jesus said, "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.” ( Luke:6:27). We are more apt to strike back like Peter did in the Garden instead of following Jesus’ example. It is not humanly possible in our own strength. Like Stephen, we can only do this by being filled with the Holy Spirit and displaying the love of God which He produces in us. To love and pray for our enemies is one of the hardest things He asks us to do. When we choose to follow Christ, we do not get to pick and choose what teachings we will follow. ![]() In ( Matthew:5:44), Jesus said, “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Jesus taught us by example while He was on the earth. Jesus prayed for His enemies on the cross as He died. The love of God flowed out of Him instead of hatred and revenge. The only way Stephen could have done this is because He was filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. What were Steven’s last words as he was being stoned and moments from death? Did He pray for God to judge his enemies and destroy them? ( Acts:7:59-60) says, “As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.” Stephen asked God to forgive those who had lied about Him and angrily dragged him through the streets to stone him outside the city. “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?” ( Romans:8:35). We are God’s children and nothing we do, or face can change that. It is our choice to believe what God says or what the world may say. “He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.” ( John:1:11-12). We must be prepared for rejection and insults. Our identity does not come from what we do or who other people say we are. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” We are in this world but not of it. Jesus said in ( John:15:19), “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. It would be wise to hide this verse in our hearts and repeat it to ourselves every day. ( Galatians:3:26) says, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” We are God’s children! There is no doubt about it. No matter what we are taught in school or what our friends may say, our identity is found in Christ, not in this world. ![]() No matter what we read on the internet, television, or any form of media. In this world, we will have people question our faith and even the reality of God and Christ. He endured the lies and accusations to stand firm in His commitment to Christ. ![]()
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