Monday, October 16th, 2017

For years, politics has overtaken almost every aspect of our society-- from entertainment to education and even some churches. When we look back on some of our national squabbles, it is hard to even remember what the fuss was all about. Yet because of politics, and some political leaders' opportunism, we found ourselves swallowed up by fights on social media that resulted in a fracturing in our personal relationships. Our history shows that when left to ourselves, we choose to do what is easiest. Our history also shows that when seeking power for ourselves, the easiest way to achieve it is to give people something to hate. This is because we as humans were not created to live by ourselves and without God. In Matthew 5, Jesus says, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Jesus (as usual) raises an important point. It is easy, and human nature, to cordon ourselves into neat groups with strict dividing lines. Loving those like us requires nothing. But loving those different from us requires Jesus. Today, surrender your relationships to Jesus so that He may bless them and connect you to new life-giving people you may have never considered connecting with before.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" -- Matthew 5:46-47 ESV