Day 40
Read John 15:18 & 1 Peter 4:12-14
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
As a Jesus follower, we are different from the world we live in. That means the world will not like us because we are different. We see this in the life of Jesus. He was hated and killed by his own people. However, this is not a bad thing. Peter says we should rejoice when we are persecuted because we are actually sharing in Christ’s sufferings and that his glory is being revealed! It is a good thing to be insulted for the name of Jesus. Why’s that? It means that you are displaying Jesus to the world around you. If you are treated badly because of your faith, it is because the world around you can tell that you are a Jesus follower. Persecution has happened since Jesus was on earth and will happen until he returns. If you are being persecuted, stand firm and keep up the good work! God will protect you and give you strength. Jesus has already won the war! Let the words of a widow, who was killed along with her seven sons because of their faith, speak to you.
“While I live, I shall defeat you; and if you kill me, in my death I shall defeat you all the more.” - Felicitas ~162 A.D.