John 15:18-25
18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but 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 also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
The world encourages immorality, especially sexual immorality. Those who don't go along with its views are derided as old-fashioned, prudish, judgmental, unrealistic fools. Those who participate in the immorality as celebrated as loving free-spirits. Jesus says, "if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own" (verse 19), and that is indeed what happens. Thus it is difficult to stand apart, for we can feel isolated. But following Jesus means being willing to be counter-cultural, to be ridiculed by the world, for the greater good of knowing Jesus. This is often where we have to make a decision about who we will follow, Jesus or our "friends".
Lord, help me to follow You, even when others don't understand.
18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but 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 also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
The world encourages immorality, especially sexual immorality. Those who don't go along with its views are derided as old-fashioned, prudish, judgmental, unrealistic fools. Those who participate in the immorality as celebrated as loving free-spirits. Jesus says, "if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own" (verse 19), and that is indeed what happens. Thus it is difficult to stand apart, for we can feel isolated. But following Jesus means being willing to be counter-cultural, to be ridiculed by the world, for the greater good of knowing Jesus. This is often where we have to make a decision about who we will follow, Jesus or our "friends".
Lord, help me to follow You, even when others don't understand.