"They who wish to be exempt from persecutions must necessarily renounce Christ." -John Calvin
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." -Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (John 15:18-21)
"...the hatred of the world is a fact, not merely an assumption. The disciples had experienced this hatred. ...in the future this hatred against them would manifest itself again and again and would increase, ...This hatred proceeds from the world, the realm of evil, the society of wicked men who have set themselves against Christ and His kingdom....In the early days of the apostles this cruel and sinister world was represented by the Jews, especially by their leaders. ...the world had hated Jesus, ...from the very beginning of His public ministry and never subsided." -William Hendriksen
I have been mocked, and never severely though. Some unbelievers think I'm a religious nut. And the real religous types think I'm a heretic:-- Those who are the fundamentally self-righteous who like to argue and then simply say they are shaking the dust off, and leave, telling me I'm a false-teacher.
And my immediate family thinks I'm nutty. Not as much now. But my first few years as a new creation in Christ they really thought I was foolish. They have just enough Catholicism to get them by,-- and for me to say I love Jesus, and love the Word, and love church, and even love my neighbors, no matter what color their skin is, and even love my enemies,--is going way to far with God and religion.
4 comments:
I don't remember if I told you before, but I came from a Catholic background, too. When I first believed (July 6, 1986), I came home filled with zeal, but low on tact. Immediately, but with the best of intentions, I explained to my family that they were hellbound, and --shock of shocks-- they did not take it well. Today, all of us are living for the Lord, except my mom. Praise God for His grace!
When I read of the great saints of old, especially those who were martyred, I have to ask myself if I am too comfortable.
Good thoughts here, Sandman.
Thanks Craver.
Great post Don! Luckily I was born into a Christian home with very high standards. I was churched from a small age. I give the credit first to God, but then to my grandparents who "instilled' it into me! They were living examples of the Christian faith and were good role models to follow!
The 'nutsy' types are f
un for me to watch. and I pray they wont get burnt out sometimes! Keep it up brothers!
Thanks sister for sharing.
have a great holiday weekend!
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