Opposition

Opposition

John 15:18-22, NIV

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember what I told you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

John 16:2-3, NIV

They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

Setting the Scene

Jesus previously warned those who wanted to be his disciples to count the cost of following him (see Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 14:28-33). He indicated that we should expect the hatred of the world. If the world hated him and we are representing him, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when hatred for the vine spills over to the branches. The point is not to seek rejection as a confirmation of our faith but to live for Christ and let the rejection chips fall where they may. Bearing fruit carries with it both the joy of acceptance and the risk of rejection of our message. If we never run the risk of rejection, we are probably not making much of an effort at living obediently for Christ.

Jesus made it clear that rejecting him means rejecting the Father. People have Jesus’ words, his miracles, the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the example of his work in others’ lives, so they are, in God’s eyes, without excuse.

In a stunning note, Jesus warns of the coming time when “anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God” (John 16:2, NIV). This was literally true in the early church and is true in places today. An Islamic extremist who kills believes he is serving God. This is also true of those who would silence or intimidate Christians as “service” to their god, even if their “god” is merely their own will or a human system.

Getting Personal

What people in your life have no idea that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? What could you do to inform them?

When have you experienced animosity toward Christ?

How can your witness for Christ be both winsome and bold?

When we do experience rejection, we probably should ask ourselves if we were simply being obnoxious or insensitive. Speaking the truth into a situation does not automatically release us from responsibility for timing, tone, and compassion. But if we are using concerns about sensitivity as the primary reason for consistent silence, then we are probably covering fear with excuses. We need to speak up.

Talking to God

Affirm your commitment to be identified with Jesus and with God’s Kingdom. Ask the Lord to help you be loving and creative in the ways you express your faith to nonbelievers.