1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

This one little verse jumped out at me as I read just now. It seems to me that many American Christians are shocked at the opposition they are encountering. Those who hold to Biblical principles and lifestyle are called every name in the book, and often encounter legal opposi­tion as well. Those who are shocked are forgetting that Jesus Himself said, “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20) In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Paul refers to the devil as “the god of this world.” It is the least surprising thing of all that the world system hates everything about the kingdom of God! Recently that has come more out into the open than it has ever been before, in my awareness. Just listening to the pronouncements of the World Economic Forum will turn your stomach! We aren’t to be surprised and we really aren’t to be upset, because opposition from such quarters means that we are on the side of Christ! It can certainly be unpleasant, but as James said, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2) It seems to me that American Christians in particular act spoiled and entitled, not reacting well either to opposition or to correction. That’s no way to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ! As Paul admonished Timothy, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3) There is a video on the Internet of an Admiral giving a commencement address, probably at Annapolis, in which he describes the Seal Team training he himself went through. There are Christian believers in various places around the world who go through no less for their faith, and it gives them a deep appreciation for what their faith means. We should do no less ourselves, because as Paul said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

As I have commented before, I feel like I have suffered very little for my faith, which occasionally gives me pause! The worst I have encountered has been verbal, and I recognize that just reflects the moral and spiritual poverty of the speaker. I am not to accept as enemies those who consider me an enemy, but rather pray for them as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. I have long loved John 16:33. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” As a pastor I am to encourage and comfort believers with those words, so that we won’t be worn down by opposition but rather rejoice to be in Christ.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the magnificent conference from which we just returned. You are doing wonderful things, but the devil isn’t going to just roll over. May we be emotionally and spiritually prepared, so that opposition will just increase our joy, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!