Tag: chosen by God
Expect hatred from those in the world
Scripture reading for November 11th: Ezekiel 43-45, Psalm 135, John 15
John 15: 18-23 “”If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of this world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the Word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his Master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My Name, because they do not know Him Who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates My Father also.””
In this last major message before the cross, Jesus explained to His disciples that they had been called out of the world system and into the family and house of God. Because of this, the world would hate them. They were no longer a part of the world system of idolatry, self-exaltation and greed. As the world, political and religious, hated Jesus, so it would hate those who followed Him by faith. All this hatred was because those in the world did not know the Father Who loved them enough to send His only Son to buy them back from the darkness of sin and death. Jesus came and spoke the Word to them and demonstrated God’s love and mercy with miracles and healing. Knowledge brings responsibility and judgment if not applied.
Psalm 135:1-4 “Praise the Lord! Praise the Name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to His Name, for it is pleasant! For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel as His own possession.”
Prayer: Holy Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word and Your Son Who revealed You to us in teaching and living a holy life before us. We praise You and declare Your goodness and mercy! Thank You for choosing us and placing Your glory within us by the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Use me today to share the Good News of a Savior and Father Who loves us and forgives sin and cleanses us from hatred and lies.
Ezekiel 43:1 “Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of His coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.”