Have you ever felt that the world hates you? As a follower of Christ, do you question why the world seems to be cruel? The gospel today tells us why.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Such strong words. Call it warning. Call it reality.
We should not be of the world. The world is governed by the enemy (see ). The world gives emphasis on worldly things and worldly rewards – nice cars, mansions, designer stuff, money, fame, and power. People living OF the world tend to focus on these things, and will do whatever it takes to get these. The gospel values take a back seat for people striving and focusing on worldly things. They are of the world, so the world loves them, and gives them things that are of the world.
However, as Christians, we know better. We know that we are merely passing by in this world, and are just using our live on this world to prepare for eternity. We focus on serving God by serving others, not by being served. We focus on doing good and loving God, not collecting worldly things. We don’t compromise our values to conform to the world. We know that there is life after this world, so the world hates us. Well, it hated Christ first.
When we ask why we are having a hard time in this life, even if we are following Christ, remember that Christ himself was persecuted by this world. He said that he is not of this world, and his kingdom is not of this world. We should take joy in knowing that we are experiencing the same challenges that Christ did, simply because we are following and imitating him. Yes it’s true what they say that working for Christ doesn’t pay much, but its retirement pay is out of this world!
Have a blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps see related reflections:
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