17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 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 15:17,18)
Thoughts: Ironically Jesus predicts two things will happen in all nations- the Gospel will be preached to all nations, and tribulation/hate comes to all nations. In some ways this is already happening. In 1984 the last country without a Christian adherent in it, Nepal, had a native Christian there- so all nations have the gospel preached in them. Some say ta ethne (all nations) can be translated all tribes- and therefore we have more work to do. But as a salmon's job is to spawn offspring before death- so in some ways the Church is called to preach the Gospel before her end. Thus the goal of the Church is her end or finish line. When the last person who will repent and be saved repents and is saved the church will have reached her goal and end.
But at the end times- hate, betrayal, lawlessness, and apathy occurs. But Jesus also implies that it is possible and some will indeed endure to the end and thus be saved. The church's end (or goal) is to preach the gospel. The church's end (finish) will not come through persecution but through the Lord ending things in His timing. The Church is called to resist hate, betrayal, lawlessness and apathy. It is in clinging to Christ, our Lord, who resisted all of these things, that we find salvation and hope. In another passage Jesus said to not be surprised if we are hated because they hated him. Our call- in response to the hate of the world is to love each other even more.
Ironically the majority in Russia were Christian before the Soviet Union banned Christianity. The majority in Cuba were professing Christians when Castro followed in Russia's footsteps controlling all religions and promoting atheism. Numbers do not avoid persecution. Just last week it was noted that over 100,000 Christians gave their life last year for their faith. There have been churches burned in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lybia, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines and other places. But persecution of the Church generally brings betrayal, lawlessness and apathy to the church. So as atheists put up monuments, and criticize rules or punishment , as they call for Christians to be silenced or court marshaled for praying or sharing the love of Christ- our call is not to protest but to love each other even more- and also look for concrete ways to love our enemies. Ironically the betrayal of some and apathy of others makes love for each other that much harder to do, but that much more necessary.
Prayer: Lord, let my love for you and my brothers and sisters not grow cold but flame deep and constant.
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