Often we fear being despised by other people. I certainly don't like it when others are mad at me. We then begin to determine our steps based on how others see us. Oh, how soon we go astray! We are lost sheep when we try to walk and please others.
So we choose to follow our wonderful, loving merciful Shepard. Then we realize the looks on the faces of people in the world. We encounter their hatred, when we testify to the truth and of Him. Then our Lord reminds us that the world first hated Him, and it will certainly hate you if you choose to follow him (John 15). As Christians we can choose to accept this or we can still try to live as people obsessed with our own preservation.
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12
O How we need His presence and His righteousness in our times of persecutions. Jesus give us peace for our pain, and strength for our suffering, we have no inheritance in this land, but you are our inheritance!
