Perhaps the murkiest area of our new life in Christ is at the intersection of faith and the world. How we navigate that intersection speaks volumes. And in those places, our expectations matter. While some have sought to live out their faith in the solace of separation, Jesus calls us to the world. It’s a messy and dangerous place.
Jesus warned His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:18-19, NLT) Let’s be clear, “coming out of the world” is not physical but foundational. We may do exactly the same things as those in the world but with vastly different motives and purposes. And there are other times when we say things and do things which are vastly different than the world – and they don’t like it.
Jesus’ big promise here is persecution. This entire portion of Jesus’ instruction on this promise is John 15:18 – 16:4. Why is the world upset? Because Jesus’ teaching and actions reveal their sin. Something we are seeing played out all the time, especially in recent years. The differences have become so stark that love is seen as hate and public worship threatening, and both are deemed by some as worthy of being canceled (silenced). But that is only just the beginning, as the martyrs for the faith testify.
But Jesus doesn’t leave the disciples on their own. He doesn’t say, “that’s the way it is, so deal with it.” Jesus promises to send “the helper,” the Holy Spirit. “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” (John 15:26, NLT) Later, John wrote in a letter, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NLT) One of the several roles of the Holy Spirit is the confirmation He gives believers in the midst of the world’s darkest hours.
Let’s face a basic fact; faith is offensive to those who don’t have it and/or are steeped in sin. The most loving of actions can be met with anger and derision. It hurts. So much so that their response or threat of response can challenge our faith. But Jesus warned us about this for one simple reason, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.” (John 16:1, NLT) Faith in Christ doesn’t mean freedom from conflict, far from it. That conflict, those painful moments, may confirm and make sure our faith in Christ.
On the practical side of things. We don’t seek conflict or persecution. In fact, we should do what we can to minimize it as much as possible. But neither should we live in silent isolation. I lean on something Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:6, NASB95) And if someone does respond to grace with anger? While their words in action are a personal attack on us, they are really attacking God. It’s hard, but we must keep our eyes on Christ and His love for that other person. The only way we can do that is through the Holy Spirit.
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