Friday June 28, 2013

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10. John 13:34-35

Zahid lived in Pakistan and was following in the footsteps of his father and uncles, all of whom were teachers in the local mosque. Like his predecessors he hated Christians and wanted nothing more than to eradicate them. After rallying a group of Christian-haters and after whipping them into a frenzy, he set off to attack and beat any local Christians they could find. As they chased one believer down an alley way, the Bible he was carrying fell to the ground. Normally Zahid would tear up and burn these Bibles. But this time he had a strange desire to read the believers holy book to gain evidence against their false teachings and ridiculous beliefs.

 

However as Zahid started to read that Bible he actually met Christ and was converted to the faith. His hatred of Christians melted away instantly. Zahid was eventually arrested and sentenced to death for apostasy. After a long stint in prison Zahid was miraculously released. He now spends his life teaching about Jesus and supporting believers, the very believers he once hated and persecuted. This love is having a powerful witness to the non believing world.

 

Christ taught us this very truth - that as we love each other as He has loved us then the world will know that we are His disciples. The world will see the selfless, sacrificial love of Christ and will be drawn to or pushed away from Jesus. You simply cannot see Jesus and have a mediocre reaction to Him. Some will come to Jesus. Others will reject Him.

 

Love communicates across all national and religious boundaries. The world needs to see Christian love in action. But, be warned! If they don’t see Christians loving other Christians they will never believe that this Jesus we claim to worship can love them. They will never be drawn to a Jesus whose followers slander each other, gossip about each other, withhold forgiveness from each other or who simply don’t care about each other’s needs.

 

But as we sacrificially love each other and put each other’s needs above our own, the world will see a Christ who can and does love them. They will be drawn powerfully to our God because they have a tangible model of love before them.

 

We are commanded to love one another for the sake of each other but also for the sake of the non believing world.  A life of love is a powerful life indeed.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

V Pray that God would bring reconciliation and love where it is needed in your church. Ask Him to humble hearts so that people are willing to give and receive forgiveness as Christ has forgiven us. Pray that this reconciliation will bring many to Christ through repentance and faith.

V Pray that Shiloh Church ministries will communicate the love of Christ to the orphans they care for. Pray that this love is seen by the world and that many are drawn to Christ because of it.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Why is it necessary for a Christian to love other Christians?

2. Some have said, ‘I have to love you but I don’t have to like you.’ Discuss your thoughts about this statement.

3. What does it mean to love someone with the love of Jesus?