Daily Devotion - October 28, 2024
Assurance in Turbulent Times
Love Casts Out Fear
Listen immediately.
"I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:17-18, ESV)
Just a few hours before Jesus was taken away and crucified, during the Last Supper, He spoke these words to His disciples. He made two things clear to them: firstly, they were to love one another, which was absolutely necessary because secondly, they would be hated by the world.
Why would the world hate Jesus' followers? He explained, "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:19). Christ distinguishes the ways of the world from His ways. As His followers, we are meant to be different from the world. We are to love, serve, and forgive, knowing that it will offend this dark world.
The most evident hatred we face is the hatred of the devil. When one of my sons fell into addiction, I felt it strongly. I knew that Satan wanted to destroy his life. Once, my son's car overturned on the highway. When I heard the news, I never felt the hatred of the Devil as profoundly as I do now. Thankfully, my son was unharmed.
The second level of hatred comes from the representative of Satan on earth, manifested as persecution. I witnessed this kind of hatred during my trip to the Middle East, where refugees suffered mental trauma from witnessing their loved ones being killed.
In Western countries, there is also a growing social hatred towards Christians. A few years ago, Christians were labeled as intolerant if they believed in the teachings of the Bible. Now, this label has worsened: Bible believers are branded as extremists and hatemongers.
Jesus' command is to love one another, which becomes even more urgent in a world filled with hatred. However, He promises us, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." (John 15:26)
He assures us, "The world's hatred towards you will deepen. You will be rejected, persecuted, and despised. Nevertheless, do not worry or be afraid. In all this, the Helper will bring you my peace. He will make you move on courageously, joyfully, and confidently."
2025 Promise Calendar
Many of us at some point in our lives may ask, "Jesus, do you love me?" The Bible provides the answer for the fervent seeking hearts. May this Promise Calendar, including monthly devotions and daily Bible verses, remind you of God's great love for His children.
Jesus spoke to nothingness, and nothingness burst forth with abundant material. Nothingness turned into fulfillment. Emptiness now spreads in new forms of creation. He split the darkness with light, projecting stars, planets, and moons into the vast space.
Join authors Joshua West and Gary Wilkerson on an inspiring biblical journey through the Book of Hebrews. Discover the New Testament, understand the faith of salvation, and feel the beauty and eternal perfection of Christ.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL – October 28, 2024
Assurance in Turbulent Times
By Gary Wilkerson
Listen Now
"These things I command you, so that you will love one another. If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (John 15:17-18, ESV).
Jesus spoke these words to his disciples at the Last Supper, hours before he was taken away and crucified. He made two things clear to them. First, they were to love one another. To do this was an absolute necessity because of the second thing; they would be hated by the world.
Why would the world hate Jesus's followers? He explained, "I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:19). Christ distinguished between the world's way of doing things and his way. As his followers, we are to be different from the world. We are to love, serve, and forgive; and we can be sure this will offend a darkened world.
The most blatant type of hatred we experience is demonic. I experienced this most intensely when one of my sons was in the grip of drug addiction. I knew that Satan was out to destroy his life. At one point, my son's car flipped over on the highway. I've never felt the devil's hatred as deeply as when I heard this news. Thankfully, my son was okay.
A second level of hatred comes from Satan's representatives on earth in the form of persecution. I saw this type of hatred on trips to the Middle East, where refugees have been traumatized by seeing their relatives killed.
There is also a societal hatred toward followers of Christ that is spreading in Western nations. A few years ago, Christians were labeled intolerant if they believed in the Bible's teachings. Now the label is worse: Bible believers are labeled bigots and haters.
Jesus's command to love each other becomes that much more urgent in a global environment of hatred. However, he promised us, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me" (John 15:26).
He assures us, "The world will grow worse in its hatred of you. You'll be rejected, persecuted and despised. Don't worry or be afraid, though. In the midst of it all, the Helper will bring you my peace. He will enable you to walk with all boldness, joy, and confidence."
Promise Calendar 2025
Many of us may reach stages in life where we ask, "Jesus, do you love me?" Scripture offers the earnestly seeking heart an answer. May this promise calendar, with monthly devotionals and daily Bible verses, remind you of God's great love for his children.
Jesus speaks to nothingness, and it bursts with abounding substance. Void becomes fullness. Emptiness now sprawls with newly created forms. He splits the darkness with light, flinging stars, planets, and moons across the vast expanses.
Take an inspiring biblical journey through the book of Hebrews with authors Joshua West and Gary Wilkerson. Learn about the New Covenant, understand saving faith and encounter the beauty and eternal perfection of Christ.
Give a gift today, impact lives eternally. Your generosity is changing lives throughout the world.