HOW DO WE LOVE THE WORLD, BUT HATE THE DARK?  

In my opinion, one of the best worship songs that was ever written is called “Great I Am” by New Life Worship.  ”Loving the world, but hating the dark” is a lyric from “Great I Am”.  As I listened to the song over and over again, as I often do with music, that verse really made me ask myself…. how I am loving the world, but hating the dark?

First, let’s define the world and the dark in the context of this verse.

• The world –  the inhabitants of the earth; the human race
• the dark - wickedness or evil or sin

Now we can ask ourselves, “How do we love the human race, but hate the wickedness, evil or sin that is rampid in human beings hearts?”

So….. ”HOW CAN WE LOVE THE WORLD, BUT HATE THE DARK?

You might think I am going to go into some long speel on how in order to love the world you have to go on a mission trip (Matthew 28:19-20), feed the hungry (Isaiah 58:7), take in orphans (james 1:27), give your time and money (prov 3:9)… All of those are good deeds that God calls His people to do & maybe God is calling you to do one of them or all of them.  But I’m learning that you could be doing all those things mentioned, yet if the people closest to you are not touched by His love in you then do the really “BIG” things  matter?

Are you a person who thinks if you’re not doing something “BIG” then you’re not doing anything at all?  I think the the world we live in makes “BIG” seem like it’s the only thing that matters.  I’m learning that loving the world can be as simple as loving the people in our sphere of influence (your spouse, children, neighbors, friends, parents, siblings, extended family, teachers, your children’s friends), and having a servant heart right where God has planted us.

My pastor preached something to this affect, and it really spoke to me—– “God has you right where He wants you to influence those around you for Him.  He put the people in our lives to accomplish His purpose, and His purpose is for us is to shine His light to those in the world who are watching us.  And whatever title we have whether it be spouse, parent, homemaker, athlete, student, sister, brother,coach, business person, business owner – it is all a cover up .  Our real title is child of God, and our purpose is to shine His light & spread the Good News to the sphere of influence He’s given to us.”                 (these are not my pastors exact words)

So let me take a stab at putting together a few ideas on how we can begin our walk closer to LOVING THE WORLD BUT HATING THE DARK.

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Let go and forgive the people in our lives!  That includes ourselves!   We are to extend grace & mercy!  (Mark 11:25)

On our knees!  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!! (Psalm 33:6)

Value the sphere of influence we have.  (Luke 6:32-33)  That includes valuing ourselves because God values us! (Psalm 139:13)

Experience God!  We need to read His amazing, life changing Word; Go to church; Get involved in a Bible study; and we need to trust & obey God! (Psalm 46:10)

We need to be learning and changing.  Change is not easy, loving the unloveable in our lives is not easy, and forgiveness is not easy,  but we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).  I believe if we take ourselves out of the equation, and put the emphasis on God then He will begin to show us HOW WE CAN LOVE THE WORLD, AND HATE THE DARK!  

When we learn of His love that helps us love the world, and when we learn of His ways that keeps us hating the dark!  

Blessings and Peace!!!  Please post any words of wisdom, thoughts, or feelings, and ways you are loving the world, but hating the dark!!!!

Crista Stewart

go to The Little Frog facebook page to hear the words to the song “Great I Am”; and friend me please!

WORDS TO THE SONG GREAT I AM by New life Worship

I wanna to be close, close to your side

So heaven is real and death is a live

I wanna hear voices of angels above

Singing as one

Chorus:  

Hallelujah, Holy Holy

God Almighty, Great I Am

Who is worthy, None beside Thee

God Almighty, Great I Am

I wanna be near, near to your heart

Loving the world, hating the dark

I want to see dry bones living again

Singing as one

Chorus

The mountains shake before Him

The demons run and flee

At the mention of the your name

King of Majesty

There is no power in hell

Or any who can stand

Before the power and the presence of the Great I Am,

The Great I Am, The Great I Am,

The Great I Am, The Great I Am, The Great I Am

Chorus