In The Spirit This World Is Not Our Friend

By Gary S. Hatrick

Christian? What do you think when you read this passage in the Bible?:

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 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, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also. But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me." (John 15:18-21)

When people are asked to call out a promise of God, this is not usually one of them. Imagine the service as the leader asks for favorite promises and the voices return followed by loud Amens: "He will never leave me nor forsake me!"; "Lo. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!"; "Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest!"; then a voice cries: "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you as well!"; and the congregation grows silent.

These are the recorded words of Jesus and they are just as true as all the other assurances in the Bible (All the Scripture is true of course, but you get the point I'm making. He spoke pretty plainly.

The fact is, if you are a Christian, and you are seeking to live for Jesus, life will not always be easy on this earth. If it is, you'd better check your life.

Paul the Apostle also teaches this truth: (II Tim 3:12) "Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Note that it doesn't say "Might be persecuted."

You see, if we know Christ, we are no longer citizens of this world, we are part of God's family and citizens of Heaven. Peter the Apostle put it this way:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (I Peter II : 8-10)

As citizens of Heaven, we have been made ambassadors for Jesus meaning we represent Heaven on earth. An ambassador is not always well-received by the country to which he or she is assigned. Ask some US ambassadors in Middle Eastern countries right now.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (II Cor. 5: 18-20)

This column has been Scripture-heavy, I know, But it is God's word that is certain and true, not mine. God calls us to serve Him and if we do, we will be persecuted. Are you willing? If not, "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? (II Cor. 13:5)

If you are willing, speak out for Christ. He is the world's only hope. There is no social or political solution. Christ alone is the hope of glory. The world is not our friend, but we must be willing to suffer to bring it the truth as Christ was willing to suffer for us.

"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:16-17)

These are hard words, but the time for easy words is long past.

(If you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, this column was not for you, but your questions and comments are still welcome. [highroadzhills@aol.com, Facebook P.M. under my name.] If you don't know about Jesus - please, please contact me.)