Words of Jesus (3)

Read John 15:23-27

People have strong reactions when it comes to the name and person of Jesus. There is very little, if any fence sitting when it comes to how people react to Him. Jesus says exactly this in John 15. He says if people hated Him they will hate the Father; even if they see His miracles they despise both Jesus and His Father. Now today, we hear so many talk about their belief in God but at the same time don't respond in belief to Jesus. There's almost this disconnect between the two in our society today. Even more is when we talk about the Holy Spirit.

Jesus says at the end of John 15 that if you stand for Him people will not like you; they will persecute you just as they persecuted Jesus (v. 20). Now just because we're told the world will respond to us like this, it doesn't give us the right to encourage this animosity with the world. In fact, we are to shake salt and shine light. But as Jesus said when we are treated this way, remember we have the Holy Spirit within us giving us the power to testify about the truth of God, the truth of Jesus with the truth this world so desperately needs to hear.

Trust in the words of Jesus, He is the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

No matter what this worlds words are to us or about us, whatever comes at us let's focus on Jesus' words. He knows with the Holy Spirit's power we can face anything.