If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. John 15:19 NABRE
Jesus has taught His disciples about love; a new commandment is to love, they should love one another, and the Father loves Him and them. Now He begins to teach them how the world will hate them. The hostile unbelieving world hates the disciples because they do not belong to the world, they do not give their allegiance to worldly values and live by its ways. Jesus has chosen His disciples out of the world; they have received Him and are in relationship with the Father through Him. The gospels teach a message that you cannot be for the world and for God, you cannot not serve two masters, money and the Lord. Jesus’ message is clear, if you live for gain in the world, you will not be able to attain in the kingdom of God. You focus is divided or shifted in the wrong direction if you are of the world, and therefore you cannot succeed in the kingdom of God. So, Jesus warns His disciples the world will hate them, the proof is in the fact they the world hates Jesus first, therefore those following Jesus will receive the same hated treatment.
People have an unusual behavior; we see others doing something better or different and we want to point at them and declare them wrong. We may look at someone we think is succeeding and rather than celebrate their success, we may be somewhat jealous or disappointed it is not us. This is a worldly behavior, something disciples of Jesus would never participate in, for in the kingdom of God the ultimate success is being with God. All who are in the kingdom of God, attain the same success, unity with God.
Where do you belong; in the world or in the kingdom of God? Do you celebrate other’s success?
Jesus’ message is clear, if you live for gain in the world, you will not be able to attain in the kingdom of God. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #love hate #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways