Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 6Sample

If we really want to love as God has loved us, there are always going to be challenges and probably some pushback. To love people, especially those who are not believers, will never be easy. In this verse, Paul faces accusations that nobody can even prove. Talk about handling stress. How many times do you feel like that? You feel like people are against you and nothing is going your way. It is so easy to take on a victim mentality in those types of circumstances.

One of the biggest questions we must answer is: who do you want to please? Do you want to please God or do you want to please man? If you cannot answer this question, you will always be subject to people’s criticism. And they will give it freely. Their opinions will keep you up at night. Like Paul, we need to get to a place where we realize there is only one opinion that matters: God’s. God says that we are not victims but are more than conquerors. In other words, the match is fixed! You cannot lose. Jesus has included you and me in His victory.

This doesn’t mean that we won’t face persecution and false accusations. Instead, it signifies that we have a solid identity that will not be shaken by people's opinions. I am who Jesus says I am. My heart will not be afraid, for my trust and faith are in the Lord. It is the same principle David applied when he stood before Goliath and said, “You come before me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” It is in Him that I can face any and all opposition. How are you handling false accusations brought against you?