I got my first taste of it when I was in early high school. After church one warm summer day, our youth group went into the adjacent neighborhood to our church building to pass out flyers for our upcoming Vacation Bible School. As I happily went “door to door” to invite our neighbor’s children to our annual summer outreach, what happened next, I will never forget. I came to a house, and what appeared to be the father was outside washing his car. So, I proudly went up to him to speak to him about his children. As soon as he saw me walking toward him, he abruptly cried out, “I’m not interested!” Of course, with the strong-willed personality that I possess, I thought to myself: “he hasn’t even heard my offer!” So, I proceeded to continue my mission. Seeing that I wasn’t swayed by his original objection, he shouted the same words back to me a second time. This time, I was frustrated, so I started to explain to him about this amazing week for his kids that he would surely be interested in as a busy parent. At that moment, it happened. He took his hose, and he began to spray me with it! I was shocked. I was annoyed. I was infuriated. I retreated, and his kids never came to VBS.
Since then, I have been threatened, verbally attacked, “cancelled,” and so much more! Why? Because of the “offense of the Gospel!” Jesus was on the verge of dying on The Cross for the sins of the world, and he found it incredibly necessary to prepare his disciples for what was coming next...PERSECUTION! He wanted them to not be shocked when the corrupt culture came after them. In fact, he explained the reason why. It’s that his disciples didn’t belong to the sensual and selfish lifestyles of the culture. Neither do you and I...at least we shouldn’t!
Jesus has chosen his disciples out of the corrupt culture! There MUST be a distinction in our lives that sets us apart. What we value; how we love; what our priorities are; choices that we make, must be focused on eternal values and not earthly pursuits. One of the biggest reasons why a corrupt culture is going to hate a committed Christian is because your lifestyle is an affront to their lifestyle. In other words, the way that you now live having been saved by Christ with the Holy Spirit living within you is going to bring the corrupt culture lots of guilt. Have you ever lost a friendship over your new faith in Jesus? Have you ever lost a job opportunity over your bold stand for Jesus? Have you ever been shunned, avoided, and “cancelled” because of your commitment to Jesus? Jesus was preparing his disciples for these kinds of difficult realities ahead. Are you prepared for the same kinds of challenges?
We are meant to be influential in culture, but we are not meant to compromise what we believe. It’s always a “red flag” for me when I see Christians trying to be popular in culture. Why might you ask? It’s because of what Jesus told his disciples in this text. He promised that they would be hated. He reminded them that if they hated and persecuted him; they would surely hate and persecute them. Truth is a polarizing thing. When you stand for it, division takes place. Some will follow you; others will “attack” you. When you experience that “first” attack, it can be disconcerting and alarming. Sometimes, we don’t understand. A new Christian who is “on fire” for Jesus might expect all people to want the same transforming power that he or she has just received. When that expectation falls apart, it can be shocking! Jesus warned his disciples of this reality when he told them that “even the miracles that I did won’t convince them!” Don’t be surprised when you share the Gospel or stand for truth in some way, and you are scorned or rejected. Jesus was too...and he was the one who did miraculous signs.
Here are a few challenges that I want to leave you with when it comes to your “Christian impression” on a corrupt culture:
Take a couple of minutes and read about the mindset that the Apostle Paul had as it related to persecution in Philippians 3:7-14. We would be wise...and blessed to imitate the faithful Apostle.
Since then, I have been threatened, verbally attacked, “cancelled,” and so much more! Why? Because of the “offense of the Gospel!” Jesus was on the verge of dying on The Cross for the sins of the world, and he found it incredibly necessary to prepare his disciples for what was coming next...PERSECUTION! He wanted them to not be shocked when the corrupt culture came after them. In fact, he explained the reason why. It’s that his disciples didn’t belong to the sensual and selfish lifestyles of the culture. Neither do you and I...at least we shouldn’t!
Jesus has chosen his disciples out of the corrupt culture! There MUST be a distinction in our lives that sets us apart. What we value; how we love; what our priorities are; choices that we make, must be focused on eternal values and not earthly pursuits. One of the biggest reasons why a corrupt culture is going to hate a committed Christian is because your lifestyle is an affront to their lifestyle. In other words, the way that you now live having been saved by Christ with the Holy Spirit living within you is going to bring the corrupt culture lots of guilt. Have you ever lost a friendship over your new faith in Jesus? Have you ever lost a job opportunity over your bold stand for Jesus? Have you ever been shunned, avoided, and “cancelled” because of your commitment to Jesus? Jesus was preparing his disciples for these kinds of difficult realities ahead. Are you prepared for the same kinds of challenges?
We are meant to be influential in culture, but we are not meant to compromise what we believe. It’s always a “red flag” for me when I see Christians trying to be popular in culture. Why might you ask? It’s because of what Jesus told his disciples in this text. He promised that they would be hated. He reminded them that if they hated and persecuted him; they would surely hate and persecute them. Truth is a polarizing thing. When you stand for it, division takes place. Some will follow you; others will “attack” you. When you experience that “first” attack, it can be disconcerting and alarming. Sometimes, we don’t understand. A new Christian who is “on fire” for Jesus might expect all people to want the same transforming power that he or she has just received. When that expectation falls apart, it can be shocking! Jesus warned his disciples of this reality when he told them that “even the miracles that I did won’t convince them!” Don’t be surprised when you share the Gospel or stand for truth in some way, and you are scorned or rejected. Jesus was too...and he was the one who did miraculous signs.
Here are a few challenges that I want to leave you with when it comes to your “Christian impression” on a corrupt culture:
- Have an impression. If everyone loves you, you might be too quiet about your faith. Trade silence for boldness.
- Be encouraged in persecution. It is the most relatable opportunity you have with your Savior who died for you.
- Don’t be surprised. We’re not “in this” to get popular.
Take a couple of minutes and read about the mindset that the Apostle Paul had as it related to persecution in Philippians 3:7-14. We would be wise...and blessed to imitate the faithful Apostle.