From our Sunday School lesson yesterday: Acts 19:23, And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. “The Way” was the name given to the early followers of Jesus before they/we came to be known as Christians. The name came from Jesus’ declaration that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” told us in John 14:6. Those who were His followers created a great stir in Ephesus which turned into a riot. In II Corinthians 1:8, Paul noted that they “despaired even of life” in the ordeal. The people of Jesus were then, as they are often now, hated and even attacked.
We, true Christians – that is, who are genuinely repentant, contrite, submissive people who by faith have embraced Jesus as our Savior from God’s wrath for our rebellion and have a desire that Jesus be the Ruler of our lives – are looked on by those outside as weird, weak, wrong and are even hated. Other “Christians” are not hated and those “other Christians” often hate the “true” Christian. [Other “Christians” are those who give lip service to Christianity, often attend churches void of addressing sin and separation, and are not given to Bible knowledge.]
We should not be surprised that when we stand up and speak up for truth, we are hated.
This from Denny Hartford’s post yesterday: “Yet there was one more important item occurring last week and I’m going to guess it’s something you haven’t heard anything about. It is this – the esteemed evangelist, humanitarian, and prophetic Christian leader Franklin Graham was given notice that all six of the public stadiums in Great Britain at which he was contracted to deliver gospel addresses this spring cancelled his appearances. The reason was pressure brought against Rev. Graham from LGBQT and Muslim leaders.”
Note what Jesus said to His disciples – and to us:
John 15:18-25, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet 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 keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”
16:1-2, “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
17:14-15, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”
I Peter 4:12-19, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Luke 12:4-5, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body…”
12:10-12, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
a PK Musing 
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