HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
The life of a Christian is not always an easy one. It is a life of uncompromising commitment and fellowship of Christ. Many will not understand you or the reasons why you choose a life of faith. Many will belittle, disparage, and mock you for the life you have chosen. Some will hate you and desire to do harm to you because of the values you uphold. Jesus reminds us in this text that the world that hates and mistreats His people, hated and mistreated Him first. As we consider the suffering that Jesus endured during His life and especially in His death, we are reminded that the world has always been and always will be a world that is largely opposed to what Jesus stands for. It is a world that does not appreciate the value of virtue or the significance of service. It is a world that does not understand true love, nor does it believe in faith. Ultimately, it is a world that has rejected God and put its trust only in the physical. Therefore, Christ has called His people out of the world, to live by faith, and walk in His light. No, it is not always an easy life, but it is by far the best life!
Why do you think that so many in the world have rejected God?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!