by Leon

Sometimes no matter what we do, we will meet resistance in this life. The truth of the matter is that we are swimming against the tide of the world. As such, we cannot expect to always have peace in this life. We have chosen to dedicate our lives to a worldview that isn’t always smiled upon.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” – John 15:18

                The world will tell you that there are many paths to God. The world will tell you that there is no absolute right and no absolute wrong. The world will tell you that some sins are not sins at all. The world will tell you that money is the key to happiness and sex outside of marriage is the norm. Yet the Bible will tell you the exact opposite. We are professing a faith that goes in direct conflict with the world and the majority.

                Since we swim against the natural flow, it is certain that we will be met with resistance. Resistance can come in many forms and often it can come from people and their ridicule of our lifestyle. But we should know that once we find ourselves ridiculed for our faith, we find ourselves blessed.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12

                We can be thankful that we no longer live in biblical times. Back then often going against the world would mean death. In the book of Daniel, we read in chapter 3: The king of Babylon constructed a golden idol, ordering his entire kingdom to fall down and worship it. The wise men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused. They were cast into a fiery furnace for their disobedience. The world was commanding them to do that which went against a commandment of God to worship and serve only Him. Although these wise men were challenged by the world – God kept them safe.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.” – Dan 3:26-27

                We are the wise men of today and we will sometimes find ourselves at odds with the way of this world. Though we may not face an actual furnace, we may face other pushback like friendship loss or ridicule. But do not be afraid of that, in all things follow and obey God.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29