“You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved” (Mark 13:13)
“Have you forgotten your proper station?” Thus, says the English lord to his butler who gets a little too friendly with his master. “Remember your place in society, a position to which fate has assigned you.” So, a Roman master tells his slave, should the slave express any hope of someday getting his freedom. It’s all about establishing a pecking order or a class system – and keeping people in their place. It isn’t fair, is it?
Americans will say, “There’s no such class system in this country – we’re too progressive for that.” But believers in Jesus Christ should know better. They must understand that the same world which hated their Master will hate them as well (John 15:18-19). As this world denied Jesus any pity or respect, so it will deny Christian believers the same. Despite all its preaching of tolerance and love, those things will never be offered to Christian believers. You see, to the world Christians are non-persons. They only serve as scapegoats to bear the blame for society’s ills.
Therefore, Christian believers must avoid the snare of clamoring for equality. Christians must never become combative to gain an equal share in those privileges afforded to others. For, if we become too vocal and demanding of our rights it will hurt our witness for Jesus.
Rather, Christian believers must take their rightful place at Jesus’ side and suffer disgrace and neglect with Him (Hebrews 13:11-13). This world will hate Christian believers (1 John 3:13). Yet it will accuse them of being “haters.” This world will display the most poisonous bigotry against believers. Yet it will accuse them of being bigots. This world will offend Christian believers by stomping on everything they hold dear. Then it will accuse those same believers of being “offensive.” This world will preach tolerance and love for all people who are different. But it will be intolerant and hateful toward Christians for being different.
Therefore, Christians must never look to this world for acceptance, approval, or love. We must not seek the praise and applause that comes from people. We must never expect to find any of the love, sympathy, and validation this world lavishes on others. For we’ll never receive it – except at the expense of disowning Jesus.
This world will celebrate other people, but it will never celebrate us. If we follow Jesus Christ, then we shouldn’t set your hope on winning the Nobel Peace Prize or being named Time’s Person of the Year. It’s not going to happen – unless we compromise our loyalty and love for Jesus. And if the world is applauding you, that’s a very bad sign. Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way they treated the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).
So, stop looking to this world and its institutions for those things which should only come from Jesus. In this world you’ll take a beating – emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. But only by resting in the loving arms of Jesus will you find healing, love, and peace. Let Jesus alone be your source of acceptance, approval, and validation.
Jesus is the One who created you, who knit you together in your mother’s womb – choosing every single attribute you have. He’s the One who chose the place and time of your appearing on this planet. Therefore, you have all the authorization you need to take up space on this planet and live your life for Him (Psalm 139:13-16). Whether this world approves of you or not, it doesn’t matter. Jesus approves you, and His approval is all you need.
Yet don’t grieve over this troubled situation. Jesus said we should consider ourselves extremely blessed when we are persecuted for His sake. For our reward in heaven will be very great (Matthew 5:10-12). And while this world dreads its impending destruction, we can rejoice that our redemption is about to be revealed (Luke 21:25-28).
So, let’s resolve in our hearts not to become like those who hate us. We must arm ourselves for suffering on Jesus’ behalf (1 Peter 4:1) by putting on His humility, gentleness, and love (Romans 13:14). Only by His strength can we endure to the end under fiery persecutions. Only by His grace can we be His faithful witnesses by loving, forgiving, and praying for our persecutors – just as He did (Luke 23:34).
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to love You and Your eternal kingdom rather than this world which is passing away. Help me to fix my eyes upon You and the heavenly rewards that await me, that I may be Your faithful witness unto death. Lord Jesus, I cannot be Your witness in my own efforts and power. So, please, dear Lord, clothe me with Your power, wisdom, and love that You may find me faithful. In Your almighty name, Amen.
