What Do We Really Expect?

Why do we, as Jesus followers, act so surprised, and even mad, when the world doesn’t treat us like their own?

What do we really expect? What do we really want?

Have we forgotten something Jesus said?

“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. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.” (John 15:18-23 NLT)

No one likes to be hated. No one enjoys being rejected or persecuted.

But what can we really expect?

We can’t win their love or appreciation by acting like them; not and stay connected to the Spirit who sets us apart!

We cannot divide our allegiance between the two kingdoms. We belong to one or the other.

Friendship with the world is equal to war with God.

God so loved this world He gave His best for it. But He didn’t compromise with it. His love could change the world, but not if His love was compromised.

God’s love is for others first and foremost. The world’s love is for themselves, first and always!

God hates things because of their destructive, hellish affect on others. The world hates things that inconvenience, embarrass, or somehow affect their own lives.

So why are we surprised to find the world doesn’t really appreciate our input, much less our presence?

Tell you what I’m going to do…I’m going to love the world as God does. I’m going pray for them like Jesus does. I’m going to speak truth like The Spirit of truth does.

And I won’t be surprised when they don’t throw a party in my honor.