10/28/2019
It’s not easy to be Christian alongside societies that take exception to our faith because it is based on loving a God of mercy, grace, and peace. In a competitive world order where only the strong are meant to survive, and the meek are considered weak, those who love God, and don’t “look out for number one”, are considered an enemy. Our determined revulsion to worldly thinking is looked upon as threatening. This way of living is what Jesus chose us out of, and it makes the world hate and fear us.
“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.”
John 15:19 ESV
When I was a boy, I lived among some very tough kids; life was hard for those who stood out, and if you both stood out, and were not strong, it made you a very big target. The really smart, or mild mannered, kids made the others feel less, and they were immediately picked on. The tough boys were not satisfied until they had made boys like this feel less. Christian behavior convicts the world of the unbeliever.
“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.”
John 15:21-22 ESV
This is the world of sin that surrounds us as Christians; a world in which our faith makes us different. By accepting this new life into which we have been chosen, and accepting to live a life where money is not king, being physically stronger than others is not the focus of our lives, and worshipping mankind is looked down upon... we become a target. This Christ-like life presents a spiritual form of strength to the world that it can’t understand... and thus fears.
“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.'”
John 15:24-25 ESV
So you will be Holy (set apart), and loved as Jesus loves by those who are also called to lead this Christian life, but you will be hated by the world at large that sees you as a threat to its way of living. Your meekness in the face of the world makes it feel less, and presents a strength that strikes fear into the hearts of those who rule the world. When we love Jesus, and God more than life mankind’s power over us is gone.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."”
Romans 8:35-36 ESV
So to those who are called into a life with Christ, and God, are to be strong in their faith. Strong in the face of great adversity, and ever present danger from this world that we realize hates us. We are to find our hope and promise in God where the reward is great... God’s love, peace, and joy that lives in us, and knows no end; even into eternity.
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV
Are you called? Are you strengthened by your faith? Can you withstand the hatred of the world as Jesus did? Are you ready to realize the love of God?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for choosing me out of the world, and loving me so much that you gave your only begotten Son to redeem me. Thank you for the strength I have in Jesus, and for giving me your strong arm to lean upon. Thank you for the hope and faith that allows me to endure the hatred of the world, and find eternal comfort in you. Help me Father as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, so that I will Experience no fear of evil. Set your table for me... even before my enemies. Strengthen me, and remove all fear from me, because where there is love, your love, there is no fear. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who brings forth strength from within the meek, and goes before His people into battle against the forces of the world. Praised be your name Father because we wear your name, and none can take us from your hand. All glory is yours Heavenly Father... your grace has brought all glory into your court, and laid it before your throne at your feet. I worship you now and forevermore, and feel you hand of blessing upon my head. Hear my prayers Lord, and may their aroma overcome any smell that the world’s fear might have left on me!
“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.”
Zephaniah 3:15 ESV
Rich Forbes