Don’t be surprised
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. John 15:18
I wouldn’t say that I have had enemies throughout my life, but there have been those who for some reason just didn’t like me. Maybe it was because I was quiet and insecure or maybe it was because I kept to myself and just did my job in my places of employment? I always tried to be nice to people, but for some reason, there just seemed to be those who didn’t care. Whether they were jealous or just judgy, I just never understood why. Even when I was living like the world, I never seem to quite fit in. Turns out that God’s blessing can be seen on you and there are many people that are repelled by it.
This should come as no surprise. Jesus told His disciples about it and it is recorded for all of us to know that many people of the world will not understand what it means to have a relationship with God. He said the world hated Him first and it is going to despise all who follow and worship Him. He also said a servant is not greater than their master so we should expect that persecutions will come. Jesus also told the disciples that the Holy Spirit is coming, and He would reinforce in their lives and others what Jesus taught and what He did. The Holy Spirit came into the world to be the spirit of truth that lives on the inside of each one of God’s people to strengthen and bear witness with the word of God that we know and speak.
In Matthew 5, Jesus said blessed are those who are persecuted because of their right relationship with God because they belong to a different Kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. That is the whole point. We do not belong to this world. As God’s people, we are part of His kingdom, and we carry that with us wherever we go each day. Some people do like that just like they don’t like others because of race or gender or some other bias. But that doesn’t mean that God loves them any less. Jesus still died for them, and He still desires to rescue them from the blindness that covers their spiritual eyes.
So, what is the solution and what are we to do when others hate or persecute us? Are we to fight and defend ourselves and our God? No, we are to love and pray for them and do good things for them. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:44 – Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. This sounds like it is hard to do, but actually it is the most fulfilling and rewarding response. No matter how your love, goodness and blessing on someone that hates you is received, you can walk away knowing that your response is working in them long after you are gone and God your heavenly Father is well please with the way you treated them. It is a blessing to be a blessing to others and especially to those who do not deserve it. That blessing you gave and prayed over them will continue to work in their lives and yours and it will go on through all eternity.
Today I want to encourage you to be aware that persecutions and refilings will come in this world. Don’t be surprised when there is someone that hates or despises you. Remember that it happened to Jesus and He said it was going to happen to us also. Ask the Holy Spirit ahead of time to help you remember in those times to love, pray for and do good to those who bring a charge against you. Also ask Him to remind you that you are of a different kingdom, the kingdom of heaven and we do things differently in His kingdom. We don’t return evil for evil because there is no evil in God’s kingdom. We only share God’s blessings God’s love and God’s hope with people no matter who they are. Even if it doesn’t look like it made a difference at the time, know that blessing others is an act that will continue to work in an individual’s life long after you are gone.
Today’s scripture reading: John 15:18-27
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 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 keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
The Daily Dose 