Choosing Love Amidst Lawlessness and Division

Devotional

Day 1: Responding to Evil with Blessing

In a world increasingly marked by violence and division, we are called to a higher standard: to respond to evil not with retaliation, but with blessing. This does not mean we abandon our convictions or fail to stand for truth, but rather that we do so in the spirit of Christ, with love as our guiding force. When we choose to bless instead of curse, we inherit a blessing ourselves and become true representatives of Jesus in a fractured world. Let us be courageous enough to stand alone for what is right, but always with a heart that seeks to bless, not to harm. [01:22:59]

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community who has wronged you or holds opposing views—how can you intentionally bless them this week instead of responding in kind?

Day 2: Unconditional Love That Spends and Is Spent

True, Christlike love is willing to give everything—even when it is not reciprocated. The apostle Paul modeled this by pouring out his life for others, even for those who did not love him in return. This kind of unconditional love is impactful, contagious, and eternal; it values people as priceless and is willing to be spent for their souls. When we love like this, we reflect the very heart of Jesus, who loved us first and gave Himself for us. [01:31:46]

2 Corinthians 12:15 (ESV)
"I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"

Reflection: In what specific way can you “spend and be spent” for someone in your life this week, even if your love is not returned?

Day 3: Love Drives Out Hate

Hate is the true enemy that threatens to consume individuals and even nations, but love has the power to overcome it. The Bible teaches that hate is murder in its infancy, and we are warned not to let it take root in our hearts. Instead, we are called to love first, just as Christ loved us before we ever loved Him. By choosing love over hate, we become agents of healing and hope in a world desperate for both. [01:40:49]

1 John 4:19 (ESV)
"We love because he first loved us."

Reflection: Is there a place in your heart where hate or resentment has begun to grow? What step can you take today to let Christ’s love drive it out?

Day 4: Living for Something Greater—Serving Your Generation

God calls each of us to serve the purpose of God in our own generation, just as David did. This means living authentically, passionately, and courageously for something bigger than ourselves. Young people and all believers are invited to embrace a faith that is real and worth living—and even dying—for. When we commit to God’s purpose, our lives become a testimony that inspires others and brings hope to a broken world. [01:38:27]

Acts 13:36 (ESV)
"For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption,"

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally serve God’s purpose in your generation this week—at home, at work, or in your community?

Day 5: Choosing Not to Hate—The Pathway to Revival

Differences among people are unavoidable, but divisiveness and hate are choices. The real threat to our nation and our witness as the church is not political parties or ideologies, but the spirit of hate that seeks to divide and destroy. By choosing not to hate, even in the face of deep disagreement or tragedy, we open the door for God’s revival and healing to sweep through our lives and our land. Let us be a people who speak truth in love and who are known for our refusal to hate. [01:40:49]

1 John 3:15 (ESV)
"Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

Reflection: When you encounter news or situations that stir up anger or division, how can you practically choose not to hate, but instead be a light for Christ?

Sermon Summary

We are living in a time marked by turmoil, violence, and a spirit of lawlessness that seems to be sweeping across our nation and the world. The headlines are filled with tragedy after tragedy—shootings, assassinations, and senseless acts of hate. In such a climate, it is more important than ever to gather as a church family, to encourage one another, and to anchor ourselves in the hope and truth of Christ. The evil we see is not just random violence; it is the manifestation of a deeper spiritual battle, a spirit of lawlessness that seeks to divide, destroy, and fill hearts with hate.

Yet, in the midst of this darkness, there is a profound hope. History and Scripture show us that God often brings revival and new life out of the ashes of tragedy. Just as the moral midnight of the cross gave way to the resurrection, so too can our present darkness become the soil for a great move of God. The call is clear: we must not respond to evil with evil, but with blessing. We are to stand firm in our convictions, defend the truth, and hold fast to our values—but always in the spirit of Christ, with love as our guiding force.

Unconditional love is not weakness; it is the most powerful force in the universe. It is impactful, contagious, and eternal. The willingness to spend and be spent for the souls of others, even those who may not love us in return, is the mark of true discipleship. This is the love that drove Paul, that inspired Stephen, and that ultimately changed the world through the sacrifice of Christ. When we love first, even in the face of hate, we plant seeds that God can use to bring about transformation in individuals and even in entire generations.

The real enemy is not a political party or a person, but hate itself. Hate is murder in its infancy, and it will choke out the life of a nation if left unchecked. Differences are unavoidable, but divisiveness and hate are choices. We are called to choose love, to be the church in action, to speak truth boldly but always with compassion, and to inspire a new generation to live for something greater than themselves. Now is the time to stop asking what Jesus would do and simply do what Jesus did—love unconditionally, stand for truth, and spend our lives for the sake of others.

Key Takeaways

1. The Spirit of Lawlessness and the Call to Discernment We are witnessing not just random acts of violence, but the outworking of a spirit of lawlessness that seeks to sow chaos and division. As believers, we must recognize the spiritual dimension behind current events and respond with spiritual discernment, not just political or emotional reactions. This awareness calls us to deeper prayer, unity, and vigilance as we navigate these perilous times. [74:28]
2. Responding to Hate with Unconditional Love Scripture commands us not to repay evil with evil, but to bless even those who oppose us. Unconditional love is not passive; it is a courageous choice to stand for truth while refusing to be consumed by the same hate that infects the world. This kind of love is impactful, contagious, and eternal, and it has the power to break cycles of violence and inspire transformation in others. [82:59]
3. The Power of Sacrificial Living Paul’s willingness to “spend and be spent” for the souls of others, even those who loved him less, is a model for us. True impact comes when we are willing to lay down our comfort, our preferences, and even our lives for the sake of others. This sacrificial love is what changes hearts, births revival, and leaves a legacy that outlives us. [91:46]
4. The Redemptive Pattern of God: Out of Tragedy, New Life Throughout Scripture and history, God brings resurrection out of what seems like defeat. The death of Stephen led to the conversion of Paul; the cross led to the birth of the Church. In our own time, the loss of courageous voices can become the seed for a new generation of passionate believers if we allow God to work through our pain and grief. [94:46]
5. Choosing Love Over Hate: The Only Path to Revival Hate is murder in its infancy and will destroy both individuals and nations if left unchecked. While differences are inevitable, divisiveness and hate are choices we must reject. Revival and transformation will come not through anger or retribution, but through a church that chooses to love first, to speak truth in love, and to be willing to spend and be spent for the souls of others. [100:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[70:52] - Celebrating 15 Years of Hispanic Ministry
[72:24] - Signs of the End Times and National Tragedies
[73:31] - The Numbing of Our Nation to Violence
[74:28] - The Spirit of Lawlessness and Evil
[75:58] - A Deep Concern and a Great Hope
[78:26] - Reflecting on the Life and Death of Charlie Kirk
[80:31] - The Tipping Point: Free Speech and Political Violence
[82:12] - Responding to Evil with Blessing
[82:59] - Standing for Truth in the Spirit of Christ
[83:39] - Differences vs. Divisiveness
[84:58] - The Real Enemy: Hate
[91:46] - The Impact of Unconditional Love
[93:24] - Stephen, Paul, and the Power of Sacrifice
[94:46] - God’s Redemptive Pattern in Tragedy
[96:25] - What Are You Doing for Others?
[97:38] - Inspiring a New Generation
[100:49] - Hate: Murder in Its Infancy
[105:36] - Invitation to Salvation
[109:04] - Just Do What Jesus Did
[112:29] - A Call to Renewed Passion
[115:35] - Prayer for Revival and Commitment
[117:51] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV) — > Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

2. 2 Corinthians 12:15 (ESV)
> I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

3. 1 John 3:15 (ESV)
> Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 3:9, what is the Christian response to evil and insult? How does this contrast with the way the world often responds? [01:22:12]
In 2 Corinthians 12:15, what does Paul say he is willing to do for others, even if he is not loved in return? [01:31:46]
The sermon described hate as “murder in its infancy.” How does 1 John 3:15 support this idea? [01:40:49]
The pastor mentioned that differences are unavoidable, but divisiveness and hate are choices. What examples from recent events did he use to illustrate this? [01:23:39]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter instruct believers to bless those who do evil or insult them, rather than retaliate? What does this reveal about the nature of Christian love? [01:22:12]
What does it mean for someone to “spend and be spent” for the souls of others, as Paul describes? How is this different from simply helping or serving? [01:31:46]
The sermon claims that hate is the real enemy, not political parties or people. Why is it important for the church to recognize the spiritual dimension behind current events, rather than just responding emotionally or politically? [01:14:28]
How does the pattern of God bringing new life out of tragedy (like Stephen’s death leading to Paul’s conversion) shape the way Christians should view suffering and loss? [01:34:46]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “We must not respond to evil with evil, but with blessing.” Think of a recent situation where you were wronged or insulted. How did you respond? What would it look like to respond with blessing instead? [01:22:12]
Paul was willing to “spend and be spent” for others, even when he was not loved in return. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love or serve? What is one practical way you could show sacrificial love to them this week? [01:31:46]
The sermon described hate as “murder in its infancy.” Are there areas in your heart where you are harboring resentment or bitterness? What steps can you take to address these feelings before they grow into something more destructive? [01:40:49]
The pastor challenged the church to “just do what Jesus did—love unconditionally, stand for truth, and spend our lives for the sake of others.” What is one area of your life where you need to stop hesitating and start acting like Jesus? [01:49:04]
The message emphasized that revival and transformation come when the church chooses love over hate. What is one way our small group can be a force for unity and love in our community this month? [01:57:06]
The sermon mentioned that God often brings revival out of tragedy. Have you experienced a time when God brought something good out of a painful situation in your life? How did that experience shape your faith? [01:34:46]
The pastor said, “Differences are unavoidable, but divisiveness and hate are choices.” Is there a relationship in your life where you need to choose unity over division? What is one step you can take this week to move toward reconciliation? [01:23:39]

Sermon Clips

We know that differences are unavoidable. But divisiveness is a choice. You have to choose that. And we do need to restore statesmanship back to the political arena. And we do need men and women that will stand center stage and with all the passion they can muster, stand up, and to the top of their voice to speak out and to defend what they believe to be truth, and yet be able to disagree with one another without being disagreeable. We have to restore this. [01:24:17] (43 seconds) #ChooseStatesmanshipNotDivisiveness

You have to know that there is an unconditional love that drives a man to do what Paul did he said I'm willing to spend my life and be spent for your souls that's an unconditional love you see an unconditional love that's willing to lay down your life is impactful you see it is possible to love someone out of their hate and therein is our response that as the world seems to be consumed with hate right now let us respond in love that doesn't mean compromise it just means love will always speak the truth and truth must always be spoken in love so we have to respond to hate with love. [01:28:30] (46 seconds) #LoveRespondsToHate

You see love can drive out hate you can love somebody out of their hatefulness but you got to love them first and you say how do you do that listen that's what Christ did aren't you glad he loved you before you ever before you ever loved him aren't you glad that he loved you enough that he died for you before you ever came to know him we love him because he first loved us and let it be with the world that we love them before they love us an unconditional love is impactful it's contagious. [01:29:40] (35 seconds) #LoveConquersHateFirst

It's that love, that agape love that drives you to view people as eternal so you will value them as priceless. That's what drove the apostle Paul to say that I'm ready to spend my life and be spent for your souls even though the more I love you, the less you love me. How do you do that except it be the love of Christ that constrained him? It's this love, this unconditional love is eternal. You can't kill it. You can't kill it. [01:32:05] (37 seconds) #AgapeLoveIsEternal

If we are willing to do the uncomfortable, people can accomplish the impossible. And just like with Charlie, who went across the nation for 13 years. I remember, I do remember when he first got started as a young boy, he just used to set up a table on a college campus by himself and just talk to people one -on -one. And he went from that to standing, speaking to, I guess, thousands. Something he believed in that ultimately cost him his life. But today some hundred thousand may gather. Much of that young people that will be inspired by this young man that was willing to live and die for something he believed in. [01:37:41] (46 seconds) #UncomfortableLeadsToImpossible

God give us such men and women today that are willing to stand up and speak the truth and speak it in love. That are willing to live and to die for something that's greater than themselves. That has an unconditional love that says, I will spend. I will spend. my life and i will be spent or i'm willing to die for your souls even though the more i love you the more you hate me because truth has a way of arousing hatred because this is not about political parties this is about the spirit of lawlessness that's what this is about that's why i said in the beginning the greatest threat the greatest threat to our national debate is hate that's the that's the threat guys that's where the threat is. [01:38:49] (53 seconds) #StandSpeakLoveSacrifice

``Hate is murder in its infancy and will choke out the life of a nation hate is murder in its infancy that's why the scripture tells us not to hate because it will consume you murder begins with hate and that's why it's the deeper root and the deeper problem it's murder in its infancy as i said earlier differences are unavoidable but divisiveness and hate is a choice and i've come here this morning to tell you and everyone watching online let's choose not to hate not to hate we can disagree and we can do it with passion but let us choose not to hate. [01:41:33] (68 seconds) #HateIsMurderInInfancy

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the biblical response to societal violence?

How does unconditional love impact spiritual and cultural revival?

Why is hate considered a form of murder in scripture?