The world will hate you. Jesus tells us this (Jn. 15:18). The Apostle John tells us this (1 Jn 3:13). The prophets demonstrated this fact, often by their blood, exile, and torments. The Apostle Paul certainly endured the buzzsaw of the world’s contempt for Gospel heralds.
The world will call you all sorts of names. Christian Nationalists. Racists. Fascists. Bigots. Transphobes. Climate Deniers. Judgmental Pharisees. Sexual Abusers. Backwards Hicks. Right-wing extremists. Domestic Terrorists. And we could go on.
The saint’s response to this is to practice the divine art of not caring. When they slander, mock, and deride you, screaming their accusations about you, you must go around the corner, leap for joy, and thank the Lord. And then … you are to continue to go about your duty of loving God & your neighbor. You persist in worshipping God according to His Word, and doing unto others as you’d have them do to you. Continue stedfast in good works of charity and mercy and piety, no matter what the world says about you.
Here, on this table, is God’s love for you. Your sins washed away. Your deepest shame lifted off your shoulders. Your darkest guilt washed white as wool. He loved you first, and in our worship here in public and in private we return to Him the Love He’s lavished upon us.
But if this is indeed the love of God, it cannot help but fill the whole world. The Love which God showed you is too great a thing to be stuffed away in a corner of your heart. John tells us “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (Jn. 13:35).” The Love of God towards you, spills over to your spouse, your children, your neighbor, and even your enemies. A love that is steadfast in the truth. A love that grieves over evil and rejoices in righteousness.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…
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