The World’s Response of Your Connection to Christ

“If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you… Marvel not my brethren, if the world hate you” (John 15:18, I John 3:13)
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Accepting Christ into your life should be a time family, friends and others would want to celebrate with you. You’ve just turned over a new leaf, you’re starting a new life. Instead, you are criticized, hated, and even abandoned by love ones and friends. They think you are foolish for leaving the pleasures of the world, and delusive in hoping for a future life, they believe do not exist.
 
Here’s what you must understand – when a man has never had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, then he can never understand the excitement, enthusiasm and eagerness a believer in Christ has for the things of God. He will not understand the impact and impression Christ has made on your life. Yes, the response of your connection to Christ will not always be honored or welcomed. Yes, you may be criticized and hated, but you are not the first.
 
Our Savior Jesus Christ was also hated by those in the world. If they hated Him, we who are connected to Him cannot expect that they will be our friends and love us. We must not let it discourage us from the work we must do. You must not let it discourage you from the path you now walk.
 
You must push and persevere through it all, if you are to finish your work. Jesus did not let sarcastic words, threats or persecution discouraged Him from his work. He kept moving forward until he reached the finish line. And so must we.
 
I encourage you to keep pressing forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Don’t be discouraged, and don’t turn back.
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Copyright © 2017 Gale Wilcox. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages quoted are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.