Don't be surprised

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. – 1 John 3.13

In this ‘marvellous’ information age where we hear about everything that is going on we see all kinds of reports and stories and rumours and urban myths and legends and lies. With social media and Christian friends we see all kinds of stories about how bad things are for Christians with stories like bakers being fined for not making cakes and students being punished for speaking about Christ and Christian millionaires being affected by ‘anti-Christian’ media hype.

And people are shocked! How can this happen?

Never mind that all over the world our brothers and sisters in Christ are being imprisoned, beaten, deprived,  and even killed for their faith. The persecuted church knows that is the cause of following Christ. They know the cost and they still follow Him. They rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer for the Saviour.

But we in the west are surprised at our relatively minor opposition.

For hundreds of years in parts of the west the church has grown accustomed to not only being free from persecution, but having society and governments on our side. Our ‘rights and freedoms’ to worship have been protected by law. In many countries Christians have enjoyed a kind of ''most favoured faith'  status as the Bible has been a part of many legal systems.

That is changing – and we are surprised.

And yet here we are told ‘don’t be surprised brethren if the world hates you.’

The world hated Christ enough to kill Him. Why do we expect any better? Why are we shocked? And, most importantly, how do we respond?

The apostles rejoiced when they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Peter tells us ‘Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.’

Instead of crying and complaining all over social media about our supposed sufferings, especially in the light of our brethren who really suffer, let’s rejoice that we are counted worthy. Let us respond, as the context tells us, in love.