John 7:43-44 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
Jesus said of Himself, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). We see the truth of His statement in John 7:43-44. Some were supportive of Jesus, and others wanted to seize Him and kill Him. There was not a spirit of peace about the temple during this feast. There was a division and conflict.
Throughout the centuries, this division regarding Jesus has existed. If we start talking about Jesus in a secular setting, we can expect differences of opinions about Jesus. Some will be favorable, others apathetic, and then there will be some who are offended even at the mention of His name.
Regardless of the potential divisions and offenses, our call is to love whoever God puts in our paths. We aren’t called to love for Jesus, but to love with Jesus. He loves them, and we have the privilege and joy to express His love to them. That may be nothing more than a listening ear. Other times, it will be an act of service or mercy that Jesus moves us to do. Many times, He loves them as we share about our own relationship with Jesus. Let’s be prepared to represent Him faithfully today. The key to that is our being filled with the Holy Spirit and abiding in Jesus by embracing His purpose (to glorify God by living to love with His Father) and His worldview. I summarize Jesus’ worldview in 3 foundational truths. 1. There is one God from whom are all things, and He is love. 2. Jesus’ love is enough. His love and will satisfy my soul above all things. 3. God’s purpose in all things is to reveal Jesus lives and prepare me for eternity. Thinking as Jesus thinks will equip us to respond in love to those who respond negatively to Jesus.
To abide in Christ, we must pursue His purpose and renew our minds to think like He thinks. As Jesus’ worldview is applied, circumstance by circumstance, we abide in Him and His life and love will be revealed. If you would like to learn more about how to live to love with Jesus, please check out the free resources at livetolovewithjesus.com. There’s no greater purpose for your life than living to love with Jesus and thereby glorifying .
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
