I John 2:7-13 KJV 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. note 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

Can one continue in sin and say they walking as God directs the answer is no. It simple I John is making a declaration and destinction about sin of hate, and the light of love not intermixing. The two can not go together. There many out there that love to hate more then they love to love. It hard to love at times in our life. Our anger at someone comes forth with hate of action of a person. Does the action change our love for someone, probably not, but our anger toward the action of evil is normal. How we act can be check by God's Spirit. Once our heart is pricked forgiveness is at the door, but forgetfulness might not be. Let us go one step further and claim if your walking in darkness and not in the light of God, one's anger might be to point of action of revenge or hateful speech, or just no compassion, causing more sin, especially if a person harmed you in some way. People wonder how can believers show compassion to the enemy of the land, truth it not easy. Not all in our land agree with loving our enemies and showing compassion. In fact they go extreme to demonstrate hate. It nothing new. People get on a bandwagon about something concern opposition to their way of thinking and the war is on. The attacks of hate become a reality and not love. Love is the strongest force that can destroy hate. However has long as one is floundering around in the dark, tripping over themselves they will trip over other as well destroying the hope of negotiation of peace, love and prosperity. North Korea been a long enemy, is working toward peace, and I think of our Veterans that have served and fought. All at retirement age and older. I think of how hard it is for them to watch peace talks in our land. Yet at the same time, I know these men know peace is better then war. Yet the mental part of seeing change good or bad has to be hard. Yet is this not what all hope for was a time of peace and prosperity for all. A time when sanctions might be lifted against North Korea. Light must shine forth of compassion for even people that were once in opposition. When people get saved they are often reconcilled to God but also the church people. Church people learn to show compassion to a convert, knowing the change God makes in their lives. Church people tend to shun evil and anything that different then their faith. Working in the world one often has to think about are they obeying God's law or having to obey man's law at times. Do you serve a convict the same as you would anyone else or do you shun him. Do you treat the drug dealer with respect or with hate. I say it depends on if you are under attack from someone elses sin or not. Why because sin of other when turning the other cheek might get one killed, or is what is done to prevent a crime love. To prevent evil is good. Why would Christ teach to turn the other cheek. Think for a moment Jews were under Roman rule, To retailate would of cause problems for the Jews people. They were not called to be door mats but victors. Our own land Christians are free to worship but our nation is no longer the godly nation it once was. In America Christians have a right to stand up against laws in our land like everyone else. They have a right to turn the cheek because Christ taught it. Yet Christ also told his disciples to carry a sword. There is a correct way and a wrong way to make change. But as believers we walk in love, we walk in love to make change. Not with fist, or guns, but peace. To walk not in the darkness of the law of our land but in the light of the law of our land. What am I saying why rant about opposition, showing how evil can rise up in hate, and not love. How darkness of the night people demonstrate evil, only to land up in jail or worse hell. War no difference. To walk in love to walk in peace to walk in hope is walking in the way of Christ even if it means going to the cross in opposition of evil. Evil often looks like light only for a moment. To overcome evil is to walk in light. To follow God's word in truth, to follow in peace and hope of Christ who taught in a world in opposition to Him, that gather around him as long as he was healing, giving the crowd their desire of wholeness in body and mind. He did with peace to all going to the cross in peace. As a christian our strive is peace, yet our humanity that fight against sometimes calls for no peace. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the enemy of darkness. Dear Heavenly Father help us to walk in peace of your light against the enemy, against the world of darkness. Fight in hope and love and truth. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study for Devotion:John 11:8-10 KJV 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. http://www.turtle30cshell.com