Who among us has really set being hated as their life’s goal?
- Much of our lives is focused on becoming one who is accepted within the conventions of “normal” society.
- In grade school teachers encouraged us to stay within the lines. That was the acceptable thing.
- Our parents taught us common courtesies so that we would know how to act acceptable in social settings.
- To want to be a part of a group is normal behavior.
But being rejected and despised can be a bitter pill even for the most confident person to swallow. However, Sunday’s message reminded me that being hated is a part of the believer’s lot in life.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19 (NIV)
So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13 (NLT)
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18
In choosing to follow Christ, you chose to be hated by this world.
No consistency of conduct, however faultless, no kindness and amiability of character, however striking, will exempt a believer from the world’s dislike, so long as they live. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently. –JC Ryle
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Boy Wanda..what an appropriate message as I’m in the process of querying publishers for my now finished book. 🙂
Congrats Nikki on completed the book and I wish much such success as you seek publishing.
Wanda, when I was praying for a church last week, this issue of popularity and likability came up. This was another pastor of another MEGAministry who was empty and out. They are out, not because God did not fill them up at first, but because they became filled with the desire to please everyone but God, and in the process became empty and ineffective for service. Pleasing people is a fool’s guessing game, as only God truly knows the heart. Many have missed opportunities to minister grace because their zeal to please blinds them to the needs of the very people they are trying to please. I have been crying out, as I meditate on two Scriptures: Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? – Galatians 3:3; As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. – 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
I think it’s in human nature to what to fit in some where but it’s dangerous when that becomes more important that obeying God.
Hi Wanda,
When we chose to follow Christ we chose to be changed, and unfortunately the world’s love is pretty conditional. (If we want to be “loved” by the world, we need to do what the world does!) But as Christians, we can’t expect to have an easy time of it, and we may experience either rejection or acceptance from people around us. I love what you quoted by JC Ryle. 🙂
Good thoughts for this morning!
I hope you day is full of joy my friend!
Denise
Yep we humans are quite fickle. One moment people may be singing our praises and the next crying to stone as the need Christ Jesus. It helps to keep the opposition Christ endure in sight as face the rejection from the world.
Powerful message. I know I do not like having anyone not like me. But I am learning as I follow Christ and breakaway from the ho-hum Christians, I find what Christ went through. When no one understood Him. Blessings.
For sure it’s not a comfortable place to experience rejection but we can find comfort in Christ’s example.
Very interesting quote, Wanda. It gave me much to think about.
Dear Wanda,
After becoming a Christian I started to find true freedom in Christ. I guess it was more of a process of the world and the opinions of what others thought of me loosing their grip. I go through times of insecurity but nothing like it was as an unbeliever and it’s a passing thing. Because I know that I have the truth of God’s word and know who I am in Christ it puts people’s opinion about me in perspective.
Thanks for a thought provoking post! Blessings…Susan