Out of This World
- Michelle Stepp
- Jul 15, 2024
- 2 min read
“As disciples of Christ, we are to live in the world, but not be of the world.”
“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.” John 15:18-19 (ESV)
As disciples of Christ, we are to live in the world, but not be of the world. Our lives should be marked by the love of Christ, not by a love of worldly things. In John 13:34-35 (ESV) we see Jesus saying, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Disciples of Jesus are to be known by their love.
Yet it is the very love we show that may cause us to be hated by the world. While this hatred may feel unfair and unfounded, the world simply cannot resist hating the things that are in complete opposition of the things it is telling people to value. R.C Sproul says in the Reformation Study Bible, “The world’s hatred is not due to what the disciples do wrong, but what they do right, namely, their allegiance to Jesus.” Our allegiance to Christ marks us as those who do not prioritize what the world says we should, hence the hatred.
However, we should not be shocked when we are hated. As 1 Peter 4:12 states, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” Peter continues in verse 14, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you,”
Rejoice, dear sister, should you find yourself being hated because you love Jesus. Take heart that you are loved by your Savior, and therefore do not need the world to love you.
Action Step:
Reflect on any situations you have faced as a follower of Christ in which you found yourself uncomfortably aware that you were not a part of the world around you. Were you surrounded by people with different beliefs? Were you slandered by others? Did you find yourself being persecuted? Find joy in the fact that your love for Christ made you worthy of such hatred. Then, as Jesus commanded in the Sermon on the Mount, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).”
Written by Michelle, mom of 1