I’m not a particularly introspective person. I don’t sit around wondering why things are the way they are. I generally simply accept the way the world is and try to go on without stress, anger, or frustration.
But, there is one thing I don’t think I will ever understand.
It’s not that I don’t get this in reality or understand the spiritual issues behind it, but I can’t understand it emotionally.
Why is it that the reality that has meant the most in my life, giving me encouragement and hope, is hated and despised by the world?
Why is it that that which has made me a better husband, father, and person – – not perfect in any of these areas – –would be despised and rejected by people?
Jesus told us it would be this way: “but you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of my name” (Luke 21:16–17).
It’s simply beyond my emotional understanding.
Yet, Jesus prepared us and told us the truth. We are not despised and rejected because of ourselves but because of Him. He is the lightning rod. It is His light that is rejected by a dark world. It is His goodness, His sinless perfection that this dark and rebellious world simply cannot accept.
It’s evident all around us. While there has always been religious persecution, why is there such hatred toward Christians and Jews? It’s not because of who we are, but it’s because of who He is.
So, let us understand the servant is not greater than the master. If the master has been treated with contempt, so will the servant. And, let us determine to be faithful servants of the master, enduring to the very end.
Jesus assured his followers “you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death . . , , yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives (Luke 21:16–19).
Though I can’t quite emotionally comprehend it, by the grace of God we can be faithful and endure to the very end. Our Lord will give us all we need: “so make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Luke 21:14-15).
Our Lord has prepared us for whatever lies Ahead. Let us trust and obey him.
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6 Responses
In a sermon I listened to this morning by John McArthur (Grace To You app), he quoted 1 Corinthians 2:10-16. In verse 11 it says: the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. And in verse 16: “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. verse 12: Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things feely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 1:31: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” vs. 27 God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of Him you hare in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption…..Praise be to God
Deborah, great passages, showing exactly how God makes His word known and why unbelievers don’t get it.
Thanks for this excellent blog which is so very true (as is everything you speak or write).
When I was a child I glibly recited the Beatitudes, one of which was “Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (plus verses 11 & 12). It meant virtually nothing to me then for I had no experience with persecution, and had never even heard of anyone who had been. Now, of course, it has become a common occurrence in parts of the world, and here in the USA we read about examples of it happening almost every day, alas. I believe persecution will only become more
prevalent if Jesus tarries, and all of us Christians and Jews will have to endure it if we are bold enough to speak out against evil.
Keep up the good work. Your anointed-by-the-Holy-Spirit messages bless and encourage all
of us who hear and/or read them. I signed up to receive them regularly, but none have arrived,
alas. Mary
Mary, thanks for your comment.
I will check on your subscription. If you don’t receive emails beginning tomorrow, please let me know.
Thank you for your blog. I look forward to it hitting my inbox every morning. It brings me peace knowing so many others are reading it at the same time. It really helps me feel connected all week.
God bless you.
Thanks, Sal. I appreciate you and all who read so faithfully.