John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
What kind of reception should we expect from the world? John is not optimistic that we will be well received by the world. The reason is simply stated but difficult to live out: the darkness does not like the light. The world of unbelievers do not like to be exposed for their shameful actions. Why are Christians persecuted? Should not believers at least just be ignored? The devil has convinced the world that Christians are wrong and should be rejected. It is as if some people take their anger at God out on God’s people. They blame God often for things that they have done to themselves. Sometimes they blame God for things that cannot be explained or the evil that people have done for them. If God is love, then why did such and such happen to me? God allows people to make decisions and sometimes those decisions are evil and this affects other people. As God’s people, we can be change agents who offer peace where the world wants war. We can give love when the world gives hate. This may cost us. It may bring pain. But aligning ourselves with the light will bring life to us and plant seeds in the lives of others which may someday sprout into new life for them as well.
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