Beloved of the LORD

The word of God is full of guidance, warnings and exhortations concerning being prepared for the future.  I have observed many people who relish drawing attention to the opposition followers of Jesus will experience in the world, reminding us we will be hated for Christ's name sake.  It seems like some of these people enjoy a degree of shock value in saying this, even insinuating that if Christians are not aware of anyone who currently hates us or actively opposing us we are not following Jesus very closely.  Because we are in a spiritual battle, it seems some feel we should be confrontational, combative and adversarial against others.  To me, this emphasis can distract people from what will enable them to persevere through trials:  the gracious love of God toward us.

The way a person can joyfully endure being hated by people is knowing they are greatly loved by Jesus Christ, our risen Saviour and King.  In these last days we are in a spiritual battle, yet we can stand strong having found perfect peace and rest in the LORD Who rules and reigns over all.  Being rejected hurts deeply, but realising we have been accepted in the beloved by God's grace through the Gospel is the balm for our pains.  I do not believe it is possible to overemphasise the love, grace, justice and mercy of God.  In pushing back against "sloppy agape" emphasis can be focused on what we ought to be doing rather than what Jesus has done and is doing.  Some paint a grim, bleak picture of the future of Christianity on earth when Jesus is with us and the Holy Spirit guides and helps us every step of the way.  The New Testament warnings are not written so we would lose heart, but that we might look to the LORD in faith who is always good.

The apostle wrote in 1 Peter 4:12-13, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ 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."  Suffering is a part of the Christian life, and believers are not unique in this regard.  Everyone on earth suffers from the horrific, deadly affects of sin in this world.  People wallow in the inescapable consequences of their sin every day, while we Christians have a sure hope of forgiveness, comfort, redemption and restoration by God's grace.  Our rejoicing is not that others hate us and thus validates the assumption we "must be doing something right," but that when we suffer for Christ's sake it puts in mind there is future glory awaiting us--even as we are God's beloved right now.  The fruit of the Spirit is joy, and we have a joyful future no one can deny provided us by God's grace.

In His wisdom, God chooses to refine His beloved children and chastens them even as a father disciplines a son in whom he delights.  After the apostles were threatened and physically beaten for preaching Jesus Acts 5:41 says, "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."  It is only by the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ people who suffer shame and pain can rejoice for His sake.  Secure in the love of God and His sovereign calling, they celebrated God allowing them the privilege of suffering for Jesus.  Instead of suffering deterring them, they pressed on in Acts 5:42:  "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."  We are not to boast in our suffering but in Jesus Christ who suffered for our sakes.  Opposition to the Gospel from demons and men is not what goads us to open our mouths for His glory, but the goodness of our LORD who daily gives us strength.