28/12/2023 - FOR JESUS’ SAKE

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 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. John 15.19

The Master revealed why the world abhors Christians. For the time being, this loathing is not so intense, but the day will come when we will be hated by all because of our love for the Name of the Lord: And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10.22). There is no escape from this. The saved must get ready, because the world’s system will boil against us, for the lovers of the serpent prefer the lake of brimstone and burning fire!

The fact that the world hates us confirms that we don’t belong to it, and that makes a difference. Everything that exists is being prepared to become a great fire at Jesus’ return, but we will ascend with Christ: Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3.11,12).

This revelation makes us rejoice for the fact everyone rejects us, but God loves us. One of the proofs that the saved will go with Jesus at His return is in the verse: Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25.34). What a welcome awaits us! The Lord’s beloved will ascend to live forever in the Home of love, purity and invincible power!

The world loves and prefers its own, but it hates us, and that’s a good thing. This aversion happens because we have taken out of Satan’s hands those who have been called to eternal life. This rejection, and even hatred, is a sign that we are pleasing God, because we know the promise of reigning with Jesus forever (Revelation 22:5). What more do we need? We will never accept defeat or any suffering – be it injustice, illness or any other evil – because we have eternity at the Creator’s side.

If we were of the world, we wouldn’t be among Christ’s elect. However, it is a joy to be called by Him. With Jesus, we are holders of all that God has and does. The Son said that by choosing us, the world would hate us. Don’t give up your position in the Savior. Go to the end, as He commanded: But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days (Daniel 12:13). What do you say?

We have a choice to make on how to think: suffer the hatred of the world or enjoy the love of God. Prefer the second option! Let the world hate us, because that proves that God loves us. I would pay whatever it takes to have God’s love. Both the hatred of the world and divine love come from the same source, but they are opposed to each other. Our decision is: we have Heaven to win and fire and brimstone to avoid. What is your decision now and forever? Be a beloved of Jesus!

May the world continue to hate us, because we will forever be members of the Body of Christ. That’s all we desire and have already achieved. Would trading our position in the Savior and eternal happiness be a good option? Never! We are with Jesus to live or die. Our future is like the brightness of the firmament and the twinkling of the stars (Daniel 12:3).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares