What in the World is Happening?
Scripture: John 15:18-25 (NIV)
18 “If the world hates you, keep in
mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world,
it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I
have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember
what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master If they persecuted
me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey
yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name,
for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come
and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no
excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as
well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else
did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they
have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill
what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.
Devotion:
Today’s
scripture may seem irrelevant to believers in America. The American people for
the most part tolerates us as Christians. If we do not try to push our religion
on the world, the world will suffer to let those backwards superstitious people
live in peace. The world is even willing to put up with some slight
inconveniences to accommodate the religious among them. A Christian can usually
go along to get along as the saying goes, and not have to worry about being
accosted for their faith. Well, that is slowly changing. The world wants less
and less to do with us as time progresses.
Even
way out here in rural northern Illinois a low-key battle is being fought by
Christians who want to practice their faith openly and publicly. A speaker who
wished to come to our apartment complex and conduct a Bible Study was verbally
condemned. He was later accosted by a man wielding a cane. There was no
motivation for the attacks except anti-Christian beliefs.
Do
not worry though. The Christians asked me if I would lead their Bible Study and
I agreed. I will no doubt face the same hassles that my predecessor went
through. God will lead me on. I am more concerned with presenting the message
of scripture accurately than I am with what others may do or say about me. The
Lord will lead me on.
This
situation, however, should serve as a warning to others who wish to be vocal
and active with their faith. Times they are a changing. It may no longer be
safe to witness for your faith in the public square. But God will give us
strength to stand up for the Savior who died on a cross to save us. Let us live
as lights in a darkening room. The darkness will not overcome the light. We
have our Savior’s word on that (John 1:5) So go shine brightly my friends. The
Lord will be with you always.
Prayer:
Lord,
hear our heartfelt plea for safety for all those involved in gospel work. May
we be free to make and teach disciples openly in this country. Help us to
restore respect and honor to your Holy Name in our land. Open our lips Lord
that our voices may declare your praise wherever we go. Add your blessing to
our work for you and your kingdom. Teach us to teach others the wonderful truths
found in your world. And may your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Amen.
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