When People Treat You Differently
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it loves its own. But I have chosen you out of the world, so you don’t belong to it. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If people did wrong to me, they will do wrong to you, too. And if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours, too. They will do all this to you on account of me, because they do not know the One who sent me.” – John 15:18-21
Do not be surprised when people treat you differently than others. It will happen because it first happened to Jesus. This is fairly common in the world like in the workplace if you work with non-Christians. Jesus even warned His people to be aware of it. When we are treated differently, sometimes it shows that we are His and do not belong to this world. We resemble the Lord and people will hate us because we do. They first hated Him and the people of the world will only accept their own. People love the people who do what they do like use vile language, indulge in the lusts of the flesh, do what non-believers do in the culture, and live only for themselves.
Christians are supposed to be different and try to live a holy life and that is why the world hates them. Since we are servants of Jesus, we should expect the same treatment from the world as Jesus experienced. Jesus was hated and persecuted; we might be too. Our words will be refused just as the Savior’s were. When we are treated differently, it is for the sake of Jesus’ name. A Christian is linked to Christ and is separated from the world by Christ. Since we bear His name, we will be treated differently. Jesus explains this hostility is not personal, but a continuation of the hatred directed at Him first.
We are lucky to be different than the world. Our actions can show the world that we are Jesus’ servants. We should try to act like Him. We do not know who is watching what we do. Be cautious if you consider yourself a servant of God's because “the devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat” (1 Peter 5:8). Ask yourself these questions: Does the way I am living match what the Bible teaches? What would Jesus do? Let us represent our Savior in everything that we do.
Prayer of the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
You are our example to follow. The world will treat us differently because we do not belong to it. Our home is in heaven with You. Please help us to pray for those who will hurt us because we follow You. We want to live a life that represents You and Your holy ways. Holy Spirit, fill our minds and hearts with the power to be like Jesus so others can see You in us, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
