Does the World Hate You?

Jesus warned us that we would be hated:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:18-19 NIV

But what if the world doesn't hate us?  What would it mean if we are "friendly" with the world?  Listen to the words of James.

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  James 4:4 NIV

We all want to be liked.  That's the reason the "I'm - OK - you;re - OK" philosophy became so popular.  We have learned to "not make waves,"  but God wants some wave-makers, some folks like Jason and the Christian brothers in Thessalonica who were dragged into the street with the following accusation:

Acts 17:6-7
These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus. Acts 17:6-7 NIV

God is looking for those who will serve Him no matter what, those who don't care what the world thinks about them, those who don't need to be politically correct, who don't have to be loved by the world.  He wants to pour out His blessing on those who are satisfied with His love.

The young woman in this video certainly challenges us to be willing to be hated for Christ's sake.  May God stir our hearts through her challenge. Does the world hate you?  "Are you willing to be hated?"

If you were blessed by the video above then you won't want to miss part two included here. Gianna Jessen has certainly stirred my heart.



May we be stirred and changed, and rise to challenge we are given to glorify God!