The World Is Not Your Friend

By Paul Chappell

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

John 15:18–20

Years ago, a man came to me at the close of a church service and said, "I was saved at a young age, but I’ve been away from the Lord." We knelt together and prayed, and he rededicated his life to the Lord. The following evening, I visited his home and shared the Gospel with his wife. She was saved that night, and this couple’s lives were transformed.

The following Sunday he walked into church with a black eye. "What happened to you?" I asked. Then he explained: "When I got to work and started reading my Bible at lunch time and turned down the drugs my co-workers offered me, they didn’t like me anymore. They took me out behind the building and beat me up!"

Sometimes we expect praise and appreciation for doing right. But we should not expect the enemies of God to be pleased when we do what He wants. This vile world is no friend to grace, so hatred and persecution should be no surprise to us.

Today, the man who took a stand for Christ is the pastor of a church. Although his co-workers were upset by his loyalty to the Lord, he is experiencing the joy of serving Christ. Jesus warned us that persecution would come, but He also gives us the strength to remain faithful to Him through it.

Today's Rooted Principle:

If you are finding the world against you today, be encouraged—God loves you and He will give you the victory.—God loves you and He will give you the victory.