World Sins

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you”
John 15:18

The discussion of sin is one that has been approached time and time again, however, I wonder if we have ever looked at the sins of the world. What I mean is have we looked at what is considered to be a sin by the standards set forth in the world?

Worldly ways don’t matter.
Christ does matter.
Not caring if people do not like #1 and #2.

If you follow those three standards you can be certain the world will eventually take issue with you. However, if you adhere to the reversal of those standards the word we gladly receive you. The reversal is as such:

Worldly ways are essential.
Christ is a nice moral story.
Other people’s opinions are necessary.

Let me set one thing straight right away. The only opinion that matters is Christ’s opinion. The minute we stray from looking toward God for the standard is the minute we begin to fall from salvation. So look up; look up and find the guidance you need.

Second, Christ is more than just a story, He is the way and it is time we get to know the Way. To many times as Christians we have taken the time to know about God, but we fail to know God. Remember it is not about what you know, but who you know, and you better know Jesus.

Third, the ways of the world will fade away. In 1 John 2:15,16 we learn as much. Instead of worrying about the ways of the world that will perish, we must focus on the ways of heaven which are eternal.

Stop. Lets have a quite moment and digest.

Okay, you ready to continue.

Let us end with this. Remember, the world first hated Christ and as such the world will hate us. I know hate is a strong word, but I really think it is time we stop being so soft about everything, sometimes hard is just true. And sometimes the The Truth is just hard.

What is so hard about the truth? Well that one is simple. The truth sets us free because not only does it forgive, but it makes you address your past. You must address that the world is not essential. You must address that Christ has risen. You must address that only His opinion matters. Sometimes that is hard, but without it where would you be.

Celebrate

“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 the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”^[1]

Sometimes as Christians we experience life that is not always the most welcoming. In popular media we may be portrayed as bigots or nonintellectual. To many our faith has become an archaic way of life and to others there has been an all out assault launched against us.

It has come to the point in which it seems that near daily the headlines scream with lawsuits and court decision that outlaw the public acknowledgement of Christ. With every passing year it becomes more and more difficult to find Him in our community.

Churches have become run down buildings that the secular world now uses has ultra hip housing or as museums. The morals we represent are lauded as the principles of generations long lost. The need for salvation is no longer understood, primarily due to the idea that most do not even know what they need to be saved from.

All of this is mounting to attacks on everything Christian; everything Christ like. Jesus warned us of this day. He told us that because the world hated Him that they would also hate us. It is only natural, really.

We, as the faithful, represent a life that many have lost. There is a certain amount of innocence in our acknowledgment of the truth. As we draw nearer to God, He reveals more of the world to us. In turn this knowledge guards us from diving into the darkness and exposing our spirit to the wickedness and emptiness that the world embraces.

I tell you all this today to expose one more truth. The world hates Jesus and by association us, because He possess their greatest desire. He possesses a blessing that fills the gap. He is the answer to all their questions. They, however, refuse to accept Him because they have come to love that gap, that darkness, and struggle in letting it go.

So let us celebrate our freedom. Let us celebrate our Savior. The world may hate us and attack us, and be removing us from their lives, but we are the ones that still possess the answer. Is this arrogant? Possibly, but GOD would have it no other way.

Celebrate loudly and proudly and in this way share your love affair with Christ. If they choose to hate you, then so be it. If they choose to embrace you, then welcome your new brother or sister into the family and celebrate just that much louder. Therefore let us all come together today and celebrate our persecution as a symbol of our freedom

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Jn 15:18–19). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.