"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 15:19 In today's world many people seek to belong to something. From youths joining gangs to individuals joining unions or professional organizations. They are motivated to belong to something they are lacking. It is common to be part of organizations in our society but the minute you become a Christian and join the family of Christ things and people change.
That title of a Christian in Acts 11 started as a derogatory term. The world looked at them negatively by both Jews and Pagans. From the beginning of Christianity there was always pressure and prejudice of the teachings of Jesus. We all called not to conform but to be the change. We are called to be the light when there is so much darkness. We are called to bring flavor to the blandness of the world. We are called to be one not because we are better but because the one we follow shows us through unity we can achieve world changing assignments.
Each one of us was chosen to bring our talents to the body to help it grow. So when the pressure of the world weighs heavy, remember we are not of this world but of a future world that is waiting for us all as believers.
May God continue to bless you when the world condemns you.
