19/10/2023 - MORE THAN NATURAL

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Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 1 John 3.13

The Word warns us of the evil days that we will live through. When that time comes, people who love life and want to see the good of their children will be so desperate that they will give up fighting for their own and for themselves. In this regard, we see the example of Cain. He killed his own brother, Abel, because Abel offered a better sacrifice than he did to God. By letting anger flood his heart, Cain became the first murderer in history. The world abhors us with deadly hatred!

Don’t be surprised when your friends turn their backs on you, for even within your own friendship group, some will rebel at the success you acquire in Christ. Always have wisdom to answer those who ask for an account of your faith. Jesus warned us of a time of trouble: And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake; but he who endures to the end shall be saved (Mark 13.13). Stand firm in Christ and go all the way!

The blessed in the sight of God should remember what the Master said about the people who will insult them: Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake (Matthew 5.11). Don’t listen to the attacks of the envious, just pray that their eyes will be opened so that they too can fear God and experience happiness. The Lord will help you!

Hatred can come in the form of persecutions that some people will come against you for absolutely no reason. In a letter, Paul warned Timothy about this: Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment (2 Peter 2.9). Let us not worry about our haters, because our Father promises to deliver us from them. When darkness moves against the righteous, fear not!

The people of Egypt rejoiced at Joseph’s ascension to the office of Prime Minister, for he, knowing how to take advantage of the years of plenty, delivered that nation from the coming famine. But soon the love devoted to the Hebrews turned into a dirty interest, and they were enslaved. When Jacob’s sons began to cry out, they were answered in the following manner: And he saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy (Psalm 106.10). If we pray, God will act!

Also the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you (Deuteronomy 30.7). Poor are those who sell themselves to the enemy! When the wolf turns into a lamb, their loss will be too great. This is the best time to read the Bible, as hell prepares to take over the world. In Jesus, we will overcome!

Bildad the Shuhite answered Job: Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the dwelling place of the wicked will come to nothing (Job 8.22). This text comforts our hearts about the things that are yet to come upon mankind. So let us not fear the devil with his threats and provocations. The end of the ages is upon us. Regardless of the action of the evil one, nothing will affect us. But those who have not yet grown in faith will go astray. Pray and resist!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares