Hated By All

“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. 
Yet not a hair of your head will perish.
By your endurance you will gain your lives.” 
Luke 21:16-19.

I have been crucifed with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me... Galatians 2:20

If we are crucifed and it is Christ living in us, then when someone hates us it is not us they hate, but Jesus in us!  If we are living for Jesus, He shines through our eyes, our tongues, and our actions.  If someone chooses to reject us, then they are not rejecting us but Christ Jesus.  I am a people pleaser.  It is hard for me when I disappoint someone or make someone upset or mad.  But lately some very significant people in my life have chosen to reject me.  As I look into their background there is cult activity including mind control.  I have prayed for them and will continue to do so, but I have finally accepted the fact that they hate me because they have chosen another master.  Jesus at the cross is offensive to them.  God's Word says to let your mind be renewed by the reading of God's Word. (Romans 12:2)  People who try to shortcut this with New Age beliefs will have their minds transformed but not by God and not to His wisdom.

The Roman Christians had to release their devotion to all other gods.  They could not put Jesus up on their mantles next to Ceasar, Zeus, Hera, etc...  Jesus demands by His very nature that He alone is served as the One True God.  Today many claim Jesus, but put Him up on the mantles of their hearts next to other gods - self, earthly wisdom, material wealth, etc...  The Roman Christians were killed because of this singular devotion.  Luke tells us in Luke 21:16-19 that we should expect no less.  Hate is not just a strong dislike, it leads to wrath and vengeance. 

David the Psalm writer often throughout his Psalms cries out to God to rescue him from his enemies.  He complains that God seems so far away, but he then claims eternal devotion to God choosing to trust in Him and Him alone.  These verses in Luke are like that.  We will be hated by all.  We will be rejected by family.  We will be killed.  But not a hair on our heads will perish because we will be living in heaven for eternity with God.  Our job now is to endure.  We may lose our earthly life and body, but we will gain an incorruptible one! 

This world is corrupted.  Satan is the prince of the power of the air.  He is in charge.  What a mess!  I want to go to live in God's perfect world and walk with Jesus.  If the world hates you, then rejoice!  This world belongs to another master.  "The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17  Read all of 1 John and see the total polarity of God's children to this world that they live in.  Our nation is becoming more and more polarized in its politics.  Our churches are becoming more and more polarized as some choose God's grace and others tradition.  We as Christians are going to become more and more polareized from the mainstream culture.  We are not of this world!  Endure.  Rejoice.

Do you seek man's approval or God's.  God's rewards are the forever kind!

Hint of the Day: There are going to come times in your children's lives when they are not accepted by everyone.  Teach them to forgive and to love, but also teach them to choose their friends wisely.   "Bad company corrupts good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33)  Ungodly friends can pull your child away from God.  Teach them to forgive, but that they don't have to be best buddies with everyone.  Pray that they will learn discernment.