Do I arouse the world's hatred?

J B Philips translation of John 7:6-7 (Jesus' brothers are mocking Jesus--telling Him to get up to the Feast In Jerusalem to show off). Jesus says: "It is not yet the right time for me, but any time is right for you. You see, it is impossible for you to arouse the world's hatred, but I provoke hatred because I show the world how evil its deeds really are."

My question--who is "the world" in this passage? Walter Bauer says world (kosmos) is "the world, and everything that belongs to it, appears as that which is hostile to God, i. e. lost in sin, wholly at odds w. anything divine, ruined and depraved."

Now, I'm nervous. Does ANYONE hate me? Does ANYONE hate what I stand for? Does ANYONE hate what I preach? Am I doing an adequate--or any kind of job at all-- of preaching the true Christ and the Gospel--if NOBODY hates me?

Now, let's expand that to the church in Western cultures. Does anyone hate us? Maybe we are not really preaching Christ any more?
Actually tomorrow is Sunday, Jesus forgive us as we gather to probably play church and present nice little messages that offend no one. Give us a HOLY fervour that will cause us say and do the following:


I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me.

And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me - my banner will be clear!
Author Unknown

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