John 15:18-21
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."
19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keeps yours also."
21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."
19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keeps yours also."
21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."
DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE WORLD HATES YOU
15:18-21 Sometimes following Jesus Christ is not the most popular thing to do. Sometimes following Jesus may mean we will be treated like "the odd one out". Being a Christian may mean we will experience persecution and rejection. The world persecuted and rejected Jesus Christ, and so it may treat us the same way. That doesn't mean that we should go around with a "victim complex" and look for trouble. God can give us supernatural favor. But it is important to know that there will be times when to stand up for Christ will mean opposition.
THE FAVOR OF GOD SURROUNDS US LIKE A SHIELD!
God wants to help you in every area of your life, not just the big matters. When you live favor-minded, you'll begin to see God's goodness in the everyday, ordinary details at the grocery store, at the ball field, the mall, at work, or at home. You may be stuck in traffic. The lane next to you is moving well, but you just can't get over there. Then, suddenly, for no apparent reason, somebody slows down and waves you in. That's the favor of God.
You may be at a grocery store in an extremely long checkout line, and you're in a hurry. Another checker taps you on the shoulder and says, "Come with me. I'm opening this additional register over here." That's the favor of God assisting you. The favor of God causes other people to extend preferential treatment to you.
You may be out to lunch when you "just happen" to bump into somebody that you've been wanting to meet. Perhaps that person is somebody you admire or hope to learn from, or possibly he or she is someone with whom you have been hoping to do business, but you couldn't get to them. That is not a coincidence. That's the favor of God causing you to be at the right place at the right time.
When those kinds of things happen, be grateful. Dun take God's favor for granted. Say, "Father, thank You for Your favor. Thank You for assisting me."
Never give up on God. The Bible says, "If you will hope to the end, divine favor will come."
When you really understand that you have this favor available to you, living with confidence comes much more easily. You can dare to be bold. You'll ask for things you normally dun ask for. And you'll view your adversities in a new way. Deep down inside you'll know you have an advantage in life. You've got an edge. You have the favor of God! =D
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