love the world that hates you

Today in the One Year Bible, we're reminded of two very important things (that it's very easy to forget.) We read them in 1 John 3:7-24.

First, we're reminded to love everyone. It's easy to forget that we are supposed to love people in prison, and child molesters, and ISIS, and drug dealers, and the cartel, and sex traffickers. It's easy to start hating those people, especially when we see the evil that they do. But God calls us to love them.

And the other thing John reminds us is that the world will hate us. We can assume that they will. It's a given. The world will hate you when you tell the truth. It hates the truth. And the farther from the truth the world moves, the more it will hate you when you speak it.

So get your mind prepared. You are called to love people who hate you. It won't be easy. But He pours His love into your heart. All you have to do is let it overflow, and spill onto those who need it the most.

God, thanks for reminding us to love those who hate us. Just like You do every day.