Live In The Light Of Christ

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:20-21 KJV)

As I age it seems that I need more light in order to see clearly. I need really bright light in order to read. The light of a very bright lamp is needed in order for the words on a page to be revealed to me. 

Likewise, the light of Christ reveals what is right in front of us. It reveals the truth about those things that are often obscured from our vision. Our egos can overshadow the truth and reveal only what we wish to see. Our egos demand that we go not into the light so that we can be comfortable doing exactly what we want when we want regardless of how damaging that might be to ourselves and to others.

Live life in the light of Christ so that you might see the way to living in peace with God our Father; our Lord Jesus the Christ, and with one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

If The World Hates You

 

"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." (John 15:18-21 NRSV)

Being hated or persecuted when you have done nothing wrong can be very tiring. But, there is a consolation in it. We are hated because we belong to the Kingdom of God and not the world. The world rejects Jesus. Those who follow in worldly ways have rejected "The Way" that Jesus would have us go. The world has rejected our Father in heaven. The world will persecute; the world hate the followers of Jesus. That is just the way it is. That may be hurtful at times. But, it is also a reason to rejoice for we know that the world hated Jesus first.

It we are to be hated; then let us rejoice that the reason we are despised (even feared) is on account of the name of Jesus.  Let us rejoice; also, that there are multitudes of brothers and sisters in Christ who do not reject or hate us because they do, in fact, love Jesus. They do not reject the Good News that we would share with others. They do not reject our word; because our word is the Word given to us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

If The World Hates You

If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:18-22 NRSV)

It can be a tough world for Christians who desire to be faithful. You may have friends. But, you will also in all likelihood have a lot of enemies if your first love is Jesus. The world did not (does not) love Jesus and will not love his followers, either.

A few years ago, I knew a young girl who belonged to a Christian group that thinks females should wear long dresses or skirts all of the time.  Wearing a dress has actually become a symbol of faith in Jesus for that particular faith community to the people in the larger community. A woman who dresses in this manner is easily recognized as a dedicated Christian of that particular denomination. This child wore dresses to school all of the time. To put it bluntly; she was bullied quite a lot because of it. 

There will be those who definitely don't like you if you don't conform to the standards of the world around you. Not conforming to the world's standards may (and probably will) even get you bullied and persecuted. You might even accused of not being a "real" Christian and that you are or that you bow down to the anti-Christ.

If the world hates those who strive to be faithful to Jesus and to their call in Christ; if it hates you; remember that the world hated Jesus first. You are in good, real good, company.

God's Peace - Pr. J