As we all know, it is a rough, evil world that we go out and face each day. As we read through the Bible, we try to become more like Christ and live our lives the right way. And it gets more difficult! As my viewpoint changes from reading the Word, I find myself thinking, “How the heck did I ever put up with that” or “That’s awful! Why didn’t I see how bad that was before?” I guess I am starting to see the light that John wrote about around 85 A.D.:

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the beginning. This commandment – to love one another – is the same message you heard before. Yet is also new. This commandment is true in Christ and is true among you, because the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:7-8 (NLT)

But really, what is “the light”? When your world view changes, it is slow and gradual and I wonder exactly what it is that has changed. John explains:

So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and falsehood. 1 John 2:21 (NLT)

This is a great key to know when trying to figure out the changes in my by life. But, this doesn’t change the fact that the world is a tough place and even knowing why isn’t always the answer to conquering our challenges. That is where faith, not knowledge, comes in:

For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. 1 John 5:4 (NLT)

Finally, it is so awesome the hope that our Role Model brings to us. I have seen it happen around me and it only gets better each day:

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. 1 John 4:16-17 (NLT)

It is definitely not easy, but it is certainly worth it! Read on…

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