Monday, November 17, 2025
John
15:17-19
17 These things I command you, that ye
love one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that
it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world
would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but
I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Christianity began as an
insignificant baker’s dozen plodding the streets of Jerusalem. As far as the world was concerned,
this little band was hardly worth a second glance. Their leader was a poor
carpenter of questionable birth who had a strange personal magnetism. He
attracted a handful of societal misfits who wandered the streets and generally made
themselves a nuisance. The world hated them. Their leader was eventually
crucified, one follower committed suicide, and one-by-one the rest were
dispatched in order.
The spread of Christianity can
only be described as “otherworldly.” Its growth doesn’t make much sense and what was once
an obscure cult is now a worldwide force. But the bonding of Christianity and
American culture is an uncomfortable alliance where both sides
question whether it is appropriate to be part of the other. As long as
Christianity doesn’t demand culture to radically change, the alliance is
friendly, but when Christianity proves itself to be truly Christian
the relationship is strained. The world still hates us! John Gambold said: "The
laws of Christ condemn a vicious world and goad it to revenge!"
Settle it in your heart that
the world will continue to resist true Christianity. You will constantly be required to
choose between pleasing the world or pleasing God. You will never find a
comfortable middle ground. Stop trying to compromise with the culture because
the world can offer you nothing beyond this life. Only Jesus can do that.
John
16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto
you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Dear Lord, the world is a
disappointing place because I am not from here. I don’t belong here, and I’m
not staying here! The discomfort that I feel is due to my being displaced from
my true home. Come quickly and take me to be with you. AMEN
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