Being hated

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Mark 13:13

You know when I was young, I really wanted a pair of Jordans. I wanted to be like the other kids. I wanted to be cool like them. I begged dad for months to buy me a pair and in the end dad gave in and finally bought me a pair. I felt so cool and I felt like I was among the peer. Now as an adult I realize how expensive the shoes were back then (even today they are expensive). I know that wearing the pair of Jordans can’t make me better in playing basketball, or be like his ‘airness.’ I know the pair of Jordans can’t make me look more handsomer or make me become taller. I simply wanted them because I didn’t want to be ‘disliked,’ or ‘hated’ because I wasn’t as cool as the other kids. It’s so foolish when you think of it.

Many people who become Christians do not realize what it means to become one. They do not realize what they are getting into. Free gift of salvation is guaranteed as we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and yet until we see Jesus again in His second coming, it will not be an easy one. Jesus’ teachings are contrary to what all the ‘kids’ have and believe. To follow Jesus means to not be like the cool kids. It’s a quick path to being ‘hated.’

People dream of a bling, bling life with abundant blessings when they become Christians, when they don’t realize what it means to be faithful to Jesus and what He tells us, because there is so much sacrifice to it even to the point of losing your beloved ones due to your faith.

And yet, Jesus asks us to be faithful to Him. For He tells us that when we ‘endure to the end,’ we will be saved. We cannot be drawn to the temporary rewards of this current life. We must look to the joy of being with Jesus and all the rewards that He has promised in Heaven.