The firefighter responds to the call. He’s wearing gear to protect him from the heat, a breathing apparatus protects his lungs and he’s trained to enter a burning building. The firefighter is prepared to do what he’s called to do– fight flames intent on destroying everything in its path.
As a firefighter is prepared to respond to a call to fight a fire, God’s children are prepared to fight the flames in a world that hates Jesus.
Don’t be surprised. Be prepared to be hated like Jesus.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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.” John 15: 18-19 (NIV)
Jesus prepared His disciples. Everything that Jesus told them about the world’s hate we see “played out” in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. The children of God then and now—are hated by the world as Jesus was hated.
That’s why we can’t be surprised by this hate. Jesus prepared us so we’re able to live in a world of flames seeking to destroy Jesus and all who belong to Him.
What Application Looks Like
Be prepared to face the world’s flames of hate. Don’t be surprised.
Flames of harsh words.
Amy was attending the local school board meeting. A member of the board voiced concern about proposed changes to the student curriculum that promoted concepts and ideas Amy knew to be non-biblical. The speaker’s words ignited an explosion of words from a fellow board member and a parent from the audience. The words labeled the speaker as a hater, a bigot, and an enemy of the children.
Should Amy be surprised?
Flames of false doctrine.
A church-going friend, shared with Sheila that abortion was a viable option for a woman. She backed up her belief as her church pastor condoned this option.
Should Sheila be surprised?
Flames of intimidation.
The threat to be fired was thinly veiled by Emily’s employer. She was to comply with the new regulation, in direct conflict with her Christian values, or suffer a consequence.
Should Emily be surprised?
Flames of deceit.
Jenny is facing a firestorm of messages from social media and blogs posted by theologians presenting themselves as Christians.
The Bible contains many contradictions and errors. The Bible is irrelevant to today. The Bible has secret meanings that can be interpreted only by an elite group of scholars.
Should Jenny be surprised?
Don’t be surprised. Be prepared to be hated like Jesus.
Jesus told us what to expect. Don’t be surprised the world hates you. We’re called to live in a world engulfed by flames that hate Jesus. We’re called to fight the flames of hatred just like Jesus did and His disciples—then and now.
Jesus loves His children and His children love Him.
We Pray
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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.” John 15: 18-19 (NIV)
LORD, we thank You for the Word. We thank You for revealing that the world hates us as it did You, Jesus. We thank You for this knowledge which prepares us so we’re not surprised by its hatred.
But sometimes we’re overwhelmed by the flames of hatred in this world. We want to retreat and run from the flames. We want to stay safe with our fellow children of God and isolate ourselves from the world.
The world’s prince considers our isolation and retreat a victory for him. And that is like a firefighter who refuses to respond to the call and lets the flames destroy everything in its path.
We can’t stand against this hatred alone and need You, Jesus, to be with us. That is why we pray…
We pray to respond to hatred with boldness and not run.
We pray to remember that we’re Yours and don’t belong in this world.
We pray to stay grounded in Your Word.
We pray for continued awareness of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and presence.
We pray to stay united with the church body to encourage and support each other.
We pray to stay disciplined in prayer.
We pray to stand faithful to You, Jesus, until the day You bring us home.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
A Question for Sisters
Are you prepared to be hated like Jesus?