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Faith in Today's world Ep3: Loving people we disagree with · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

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  The world changes every day, but God's truth never does.
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  Welcome to Faith in Today's World, a special series from Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  I'm Angel Santana, and today we'll explore today's headlines,
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  everyday challenges, and the questions people are asking, and discover what
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  God's Word has to say about them.
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  Because while the world keeps changing, our hope remains the same.
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  Jesus Christ. Have Faith, Let It Begin starts right now.
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  Welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
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  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
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  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
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  Two thousand came and a spark was lit. A testimony raw, it wouldn't quit.
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  His mother's voice, a guiding thread. The angels are with you, she gently said.
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  Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  I'm Angel Santana, and this is episode three of Faith in Today's World.
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  Today's question is one that we have faced, we've all faced.
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  How do we love people when we don't agree with them? Wow.
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  Maybe it's politics, maybe it's religion, maybe it's parenting,
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  maybe it's a family disagreement that's been going on for years.
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  It seems like everywhere we turn, someone wants us to choose a side.
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  But as followers of Christ, what if we're called to choose something greater? Love.
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  Have you noticed that it feels harder than ever to have a conversation?
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  Social media has made it easy to share opinions. But sometimes we've forgotten how to listen.
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  We've become quick to respond. Slow to understand.
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  People unfriend each other. Families stop talking.
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  Hear my son in the background? He's ready to move on. Neighbors avoid one another.
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  Sometimes all because of one disagreement.
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  See, he's ready to go. This question isn't whether disagreements exist. They always will.
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  The question is, how often or how should a Christian or man of faith or a person
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  of faith, woman of faith, regardless, how should we respond?
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  What does the Bible say? Well, let's take a look.
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  The words of Jesus in John chapter 13, verses 34, 35.
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  The word of the Lord, a new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you.
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  So you must love one another by this.
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  Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
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  Notice something. Jesus didn't
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  say, they'll know you're my disciples because you win every argument.
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  He said, he didn't say that. He said, they'll know your mind because of your love.
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  Let's say that again. They'll know your mind because of your love.
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  Let me be clear though. Love doesn't mean agreeing with everything.
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  Love doesn't mean compromising your faith.
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  Love doesn't mean pretending sin doesn't exist.
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  It means remembering that every person you meet was created in the image of God.
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  You can stand firmly on biblical truth while still treating people with dignity,
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  compassion, and respect.
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  Truth without love becomes harsh. Love without truth loses its foundation.
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  And Jesus showed us both.
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  Working in healthcare, I've met people from every background imaginable.
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  Different beliefs, different cultures, different life experiences.
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  Even being a father, you can hear my son in the background. He's like,
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  I want to go outside. Let's go. And I said, don't worry, we're going to move
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  on first. Let me just record this episode.
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  One thing I've learned is this. Everyone wants to be treated with respect.
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  Even Noah, even at four years old, he wants that.
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  Sometimes the greatest witness we have isn't a sermon.
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  It's the way we treat someone who's having a difficult day.
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  Sometimes people won't remember every word we say, but they'll always remember how we made them feel.
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  Here's today's faith challenge for everyone as we conclude today's episode.
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  Yes, we're going to go to the playground right when I'm done.
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  I promise, Noah. Reach out to someone you disagree with.
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  Not to debate, not to convince, just to listen. Ask them how they're doing.
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  Pray for them, even if they never know you did.
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  Because love begins when we choose relationships over winning.
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  Like right now, my son is getting very impatient, but you know what?
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  He has a right to be impatient because I told him one minute and that was seven minutes ago.
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  So we're closing today's episode right like this.
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  Imagine what would happen if we as believers of Christ, of God,
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  of all different types of religion, became known for listening as much as speaking.
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  Imagine if our first response wasn't anger, but grace.
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  Not because we're weak, but because Jesus was strong enough to love us while we were still sinners.
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  That's the example we're called to follow.
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  And we're going to pray about that. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us.
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  Even when we fall short, teach us to love others the way you have loved us and
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  help us speak the truth when gentleness.
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  When gentleness arrives and is present, teach us to speak the truth with gentleness.
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  Help us listen before we judge. Help us become peacemakers in the word that
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  often chooses division.
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  May our words bring healing. May our actions reflect Christ.
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  And may those around us see you through the way we love each other.
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  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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  Well, thank you for joining me and Noah in the background for another episode
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  of Faith in Today's World, a special series from Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  Remember, the world changes every day, but God's truth never does.
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  Go into the world today and go into looking for opportunities to be peacemakers.
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  Lead with grace. Stand the truth. Stand in the truth. Love without fear.
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  And never forget to have faith and let it begin.
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  Well, every day brings new headlines. So tomorrow is episode four and unexpected
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  challenges and reasons to worry.
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  But does God say about, what does he say about fear?
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  And how can we find peace when life feels out of control?
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  Hmm, join us as we discover that God's presence is greater than our anxiety. That's the episode.
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  And his peace is available even in life's storm.
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  May God be with you. May he shine his light upon you. and grant each and every
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  single one of you peace on earth. And never forget, have faith.
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  Let it begin. Let it begin. See you tomorrow. Noah, can you tell everybody to
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  have faith and let it begin?
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  Bye. Bye. Say hasta la pasta. Hasta la pasta.