This is my command: Love each other. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:17-19 NLT
Hatred by others does not count if you are being rude, uncaring, self righteous, sarcastic, prideful, or unloving just to name a few. In other words, people can be easily offended if you engage them with the aforementioned attitudes. This verse of the world hating you would not apply. They would be justified in their anger and attack of you.
However, Jesus tells us to not be surprised if people hate you when you are living the values of the kingdom of God. These values include both speech and actions. Don’t let the fear of how people might respond, to cause you to be intimidated from fully living your life with light and love.
Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and the Pharisees were angry with him. Jesus laughed and dined with the tax collectors and sinners…they were upset with him spending time with those who needed healing. Jesus spent a day with Zacchaeus, the crowd murmured. Jesus died on the cross as a criminal, yet He was without any sin.
- You may say you are prolife, and the world says it is pro-death – let your pro-life expressions be filled with love like Jesus
- When you are considering others more important than yourself in word and deed, don’t be surprised if the world grumbles and complains about your actions.
- When you say you are thankful for living in God’s path of marriage as a man and a woman, others are offended that you don’t agree with the world’s choice of alternate marriages.
Two kingdoms are at war – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. To be identified as a child of God places you squarely in the kingdom of God. Fear NOT that others will disagree with you, ridicule you, unfriend you, curse at you, speak evil of you, for these are all expressions of the kingdom of darkness. Choose to live in the kingdom of God where there is freedom, life, joy and love.
May God give you the blessedness of purity of heart. May God’s presence and voice remind you that you are loved. On this Fear Not Friday, may you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He lives in truth. You will be persecuted for righteousness sake…may you live righteously before a crooked and perverse generation.
Blessings Love y’all