pramsay posted on October 03, 2012 17:34 1748 views

BIBLE BITES

Every week some practical and helpful spiritual food that is relevant to your life arrives in your inbox.

 SOME WON’T BE HAPPY FOR YOU

You are so glad to have your sins forgiven. You are happy to know that Jesus is your Saviour and that now you are in the eternal family of God. It’s also awesome to be sure of being in Heaven when this life comes to an end. But perhaps you have already found out that not everyone is as happy about it as you are. Maybe a friend or two is acting strange towards you – distant – and you worry that they may be snickering behind your back. It could be your family that’s displeased.

It can be brutal out there. There will always be those difficult days when it’s so very hard to smile; days when the wind is blowing in your face and howling in your ears. Chilly and dark days. Perhaps you have heard someone preach that if you trust Jesus and follow Him, your life will be rich, rosy, robust and radiant. But you have hit a bump, a bad one, and you are starting to wonder about this life in Christ.

The Lord Jesus was very clear when He spoke to His followers: it wouldn’t be easy following Him. Not a stroll through the park. There would be tough times and rough spots. There would be name-calling and ridicule. Sometimes friends and families would turn against a follower of Christ. There could be hurt, hunger and tears.

Why would this be? Because generally, the world hated Jesus then and still does today. His followers, then, are sure to feel the nasty effects of a world that still rejects Jesus.

Christ was talking to His disciples, preparing them for what to expect after He was gone back to Heaven. Here’s what He said:

If the world hates you,

you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own;

but because you are not of the world,

but I chose you out of the world,

because of this the world hates you.”

John 15:18-19

Decades after the Crucifixion of Christ, the Apostle John wrote Christians and said: “Don’t be surprised brothers, that the world hates you.” 1John 3:13. So today, we shouldn’t be surprised if we feel some rejection either. Christ knows exactly how you feel right now, so talk to Him about it. Tell Him how you are feeling and ask Him to help you stay focused on Him. He felt hatred and rejection far worse than we will ever experience.

In the early days, the Apostles experienced intense opposition and at one point they were called before the authorities. They were beaten and released. How did they respond to such treatment? They left with very, very sore backs but they were “rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for His Name.” Acts 5:41

When you are feeling sad about the way some people are treating you, read about your Saviour and how He was treated. Focus on Christ when you are feeling down. Read one of the four Gospel accounts of His crucifixion. Even though you know the story well, read it prayerfully and devotionally. You will be drawn closer to Him and before you know it, you will be saying little thankful prayers all over again for His love and care for you.

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today,

Warmly in Christ,

Peter Ramsay

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