(Audio)
If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
Jesus was loving, but to the world he had a polarizing effect. Some responded to his love with love. But many responded to it with hate. This was possible because the love Jesus showed was not simply affirmations and good feelings. Such love wouldn't rock the boat or cause much debate. It was instead a love based on the truth. For the sake of love Jesus couldn't resist telling even the difficult parts of the truth. He was the one who said, "the truth will set you free" (see John 8:32)
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,
We really are meant to be distinguishable from the world around us. We are called apart, to be separated, to be especially reflective of the glory of the one who called us. The temptation we face is to care too much about blending in. It could be that this impulse is a reaction to when we've seen others broadcasting the fact of their Christianity almost as a bludgeon. But it is not to this sort of performance that we are called. It is rather to simple lives of integrity, in which we say and act as followers of Jesus no matter who is watching, that we are called. This calling might not seem like it would result in that much division. Yet being faithful to the truth in season and out of season inherently conveys a choice and challenge.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.
Let us never be reluctant to speak the name of Jesus. Let us never be afraid to be known as his followers. His is the name above all names (see Philippians 2:9), and the only name given under heaven by which we may be saved (see Acts 4:12). Even more than any individual truth of morality let us "not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord" (see Second Timothy 1:8). Jesus taught "everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God" (see Luke 12:8). His name is great and is full of power. This is why the world prefers to use his name in vain, in attempt to drain that power. Let us use it reverently in reparation. May it never be far from our lips.
Paul's life was that of one always ready to speak the name of Jesus, to be known as chosen by him. He wasn't afraid to face the world's hatred, even beatings, prison, and stonings. Nothing could stop him from completing the mission to which he had be called.
"But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone" (see Galatians 1:15-16).
Paul knew he was called to be set apart. This enabled him to heed the promptings of the Spirit over the hubris of circumstance. This clarity made a difference even in very practical matters such as when they tried to go into Bithynia "but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them". How many times do we either keep pushing into something when the Spirit isn't allowing us? Or how often do we simply give up at such times instead of allowing ourselves to be redirected.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Do we know that we are called to be set apart? Do we heed the call enough that we can hear the Spirit speaking? Whom are we being asked to help next? To whom are we called to go?
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
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