John 15:18-25
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. – John 15:19
When we choose to follow Jesus, we will face the world’s opposition. In John 15:18, Jesus tells His disciples, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” This is a comforting truth because it reminds us that our struggles are not by chance—they happen because we belong to Christ.
The world does not hate Christians because of our personality or actions, but because we are united with Christ. Jesus said, “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.” (Jn 15:19) This verse highlights the change of our identity: We once belonged to the world, but through Jesus’ salvation, we are now citizens of His kingdom and different from the world.
In the Old Testament, God chose Israel and set them apart as His holy people (Deut 7:6). Likewise, believers today are set apart through the gospel of Christ. We no longer belong to the world, nor do we conform to its ways, but instead, we live according to God’s will. This kind of life makes the world uncomfortable and even hostile toward us.
Even though the world hated Jesus, He still chose to love the world, willingly enduring rejection and crucifixion to save those who opposed Him. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s unconditional love and redemption.
How should we respond? When the world rejects us, we should not be discouraged. Instead, we should ask ourselves: What is my relationship with the world? Does the world love me as it loves its own?
If we find that we are no different from the world, or if we enjoy its approval, perhaps we need to examine whether our faith is truly rooted in Christ. Jesus has saved us and set us apart—do we treasure this new identity? Our words and actions should reflect our calling as God’s people.
When others mock us for our faith, we can choose to respond with gentleness rather than anger. When we feel pressure, we can pray instead of complaining, asking God to give us strength. Most importantly, no matter how our circumstances change, we must remain faithful in our love for God. As Jesus promised, “If you keep My commands, you will abide in My love.” (Jn 15:10)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me and making me belong to Christ rather than the world. I confess that at times, I fear rejection and seek to please others by compromising my faith. Please forgive me and give me the courage to stand for Your truth in this world.
Lord, help me not to seek the world’s approval but to follow You with joy. No matter what opposition I face, give me strength to respond with love and to trust You completely. May my life bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
When we choose to follow Jesus, we will face the world’s opposition. In John 15:18, Jesus tells His disciples, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” This is a comforting truth because it reminds us that our struggles are not by chance—they happen because we belong to Christ.
The world does not hate Christians because of our personality or actions, but because we are united with Christ. Jesus said, “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.” (Jn 15:19) This verse highlights the change of our identity: We once belonged to the world, but through Jesus’ salvation, we are now citizens of His kingdom and different from the world.
In the Old Testament, God chose Israel and set them apart as His holy people (Deut 7:6). Likewise, believers today are set apart through the gospel of Christ. We no longer belong to the world, nor do we conform to its ways, but instead, we live according to God’s will. This kind of life makes the world uncomfortable and even hostile toward us.
Even though the world hated Jesus, He still chose to love the world, willingly enduring rejection and crucifixion to save those who opposed Him. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s unconditional love and redemption.
How should we respond? When the world rejects us, we should not be discouraged. Instead, we should ask ourselves: What is my relationship with the world? Does the world love me as it loves its own?
If we find that we are no different from the world, or if we enjoy its approval, perhaps we need to examine whether our faith is truly rooted in Christ. Jesus has saved us and set us apart—do we treasure this new identity? Our words and actions should reflect our calling as God’s people.
When others mock us for our faith, we can choose to respond with gentleness rather than anger. When we feel pressure, we can pray instead of complaining, asking God to give us strength. Most importantly, no matter how our circumstances change, we must remain faithful in our love for God. As Jesus promised, “If you keep My commands, you will abide in My love.” (Jn 15:10)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me and making me belong to Christ rather than the world. I confess that at times, I fear rejection and seek to please others by compromising my faith. Please forgive me and give me the courage to stand for Your truth in this world.
Lord, help me not to seek the world’s approval but to follow You with joy. No matter what opposition I face, give me strength to respond with love and to trust You completely. May my life bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
