Whether respected or hated

S: John 15:18-25

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. ²⁵ But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

O: Some people claim that this means if non-Christians think well of us, something must be wrong with our walk with Christ, since Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

But that doesn’t take into account the whole counsel of Scripture. Jesus also taught in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Likewise, Titus 2:7–8, Proverbs 3:3–4, Romans 12:17–21, and 1 Peter 2:12 all urge us to live visibly good and upright lives, often resulting in respect or even admiration from non-believers.

Many biblical values—human dignity, justice, mercy—have shaped societies over time. Concepts like universal human rights, care for the poor, and equality before the law trace back to Scripture, even when secular societies forget their origin. Some values once radical (compassion, forgiveness, justice) are now admired by the wider world because of the long influence of Christ and His followers—the yeast working through the dough (Matthew 13:33).

At the same time, it is true that following Jesus can bring persecution. Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, who suffered in both Nazi and Communist Romania, are examples of believers who stood firm despite intense opposition. Many others have done likewise.

A: I need to live such a good life that people see my actions and glorify God. In my current situation, I am more likely to have opportunities to shine through kindness, integrity, and witness. But I also need to be spiritually prepared to stand firm if real opposition or persecution comes.

P: Father, help me to walk in the light as You are in the light, to have fellowship with other believers, and to receive the cleansing of Jesus’ blood. Help me to be salt and light—whether I am accepted or rejected—and not to compromise should persecution come. In Jesus’ name, amen.