Church and World

Today’s Gospel Text:   "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18-21

Reflection: At one time, in the golden years of the church, there was a clear divide between the world and the church

I suppose that this divide still exists, at least as far as the mandate of Christ and the official teaching of the church is concerned.

Now, can we safely assume: Instead of us influencing the world, the world has managed to influence us?

If that is the case then it would be a terrible reality; the world will cease to become the instrument of Salvation in the way Christ wanted it to be.

It could still be an instrument of salvation in the way the devil is one.  He is an instrument of the greater rewards of our salvation if we seek to abide in Christ and his love.

He, the devil, persecutes the saints and has men and women at his beck and call to do so.

Thus the church can become so worldly that it can be an instrument to persecute its own, especially those who seek to be faithful to Christ and the gospel.

Hence when Jesus talks about the world hating us he also means those within the church who are worldly and their worldliness is manifested by all forms of hate against the sound doctrine of Christ and against the followers of Christ Jesus.

This hate is manifested in subtle forms of persecution and, at times, overtly carried out through slander, gossip and the covert persecution that follows.

Prayer: But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee. Ps 55:23

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