“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 (NKJV)
In our Faith walk, we often envision a path filled with triumphs and spiritual victories. Yet, the reality for many believers is far more complex. We are called to a purpose that brings both fulfilment and trials and tribulations.
For us believers, regardless of our assignments here on this Earth, we all have one purpose: to know Christ and make Him known. As we strive to do this, we encounter resistance—not just from the world around us but also from our loved ones.
From Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, we see numerous examples of people who experienced extraordinary things because of their faith as they walked in purpose. There are stirring references to Noah’s ark, Abraham, the father of faith, and Moses who parted the Red Sea. Other references include Joshua who led the Israelites through the fallen walls of Jericho, David who was the man after God’s heart, and warriors like Gideon and Jephthah. Most times, we stop reading at Hebrew 11:35 but verses 36-38 tell us something slightly different about purpose.
‘Still, others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword…’ Hebrews 11:36-38 NKJV.
Following God does not mean we become immune to tribulations. Sometimes, it could mean leaving your country to a foreign land to be a missionary despite persecution or resigning from well-paying jobs because you refuse to compromise for wealth. People have been disowned by their families because they renounced their previous religion and became saved through Christ. No one ever promised that aligning with God’s will would be easy.
Jesus, our example, accepted the cup of torture and crucifixion knowing He was fulfilling the will of God (Luke 22:42, Hebrews 12:2). He also warned the disciples the world would hate and persecute them and it all came to pass. Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:54-60), Paul was imprisoned for years, and history tells us that almost all the other Apostles died gruesomely. They all lived purposefully but still experienced the pain.
As we continue to embody the life of Christ, we must understand that not everyone will eagerly accept us. There will be opposition. We will experience difficulties because we proclaim Christ but God has promised us in His word that He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Dear believer, no matter what trials we face, we must have the confidence of David, trusting that even when we walk through the valley of the shadows of death, God is with us.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Corinthians 3-4