“If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but you are not of this world because I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19
“Oh, for the time when our nation was a Christian nation. Oh, that it might be again. All we need to do is get everyone saved and get the right politicians in, and then everything will be great.” How many times have I heard this or something like it? If I had a nickel for each time, I would have at least $20.
The fact is this nation is of the world and the world hates you and me. The world hates people of faith. Jesus told us as much. So we shouldn’t be surprised when we see the world in opposition to the church. We shouldn’t be surprised when we see segments of the church in opposition to Christ because large parts of what we see as the church are really of the world.
I would rather be hated by the world than denied by Christ. I would rather live for Christ than for the world. I will leave this world one day, so I don’t care much for making the world happy. It is Christ we need to please.
Prayer: Lord God, may I always please you and seek to do your will rather than that of the world. Confirm my heart that that of Christ. Forgive me for His sake when I live for the world rather than you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.