Him, first. Us, second.

Wk 36 Day 7

John 15:18-20
¹⁸"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹If 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. ²⁰Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

.. This was Jesus speaking to His disciples about the world hating them - as it hated Jesus first.
.. It was a warning to the disciples that this was going to happen.

Stuff to think about:

.. People will hate us because they hated Christ first.
.. Since no servant is greater than his master (as we are with Christ), then whatever is done to us, has already been done to Jesus.

.. A big part of the reason why a lot of people do not listen or obey the teachings, follow through the advice we give, etc is because they reject Christ first - the submission to His authority and the life-changing authority of God's word.
.. If people would love Christ, obey Christ, and do what the Word says first, all the teachings and advice that we give will be effective to the as well.

.. There is a hierarchy to man's obedience... first to Christ, then to the disciples of Christ.

BELLE:

.. I will not wonder why some people will not follow through the advice that I give or do the teachings that I speak about - is because they have rejected Christ first.
.. It is important to emphasize the submission to God's authority first and foremost (hence, call to salvation or re-commitment to some) when teaching.
.. I will not feel disappointed if the people I am teaching do not follow through what I've taught as long as I have done my job - it is God who will work in them and through them.
.. I just need to do my part - to be faithful at it and to not give up even I do not see a "great learning" from what I have taught; to be sure that what I am teaching is wholly in line with the truth of the Word of God.

// Lord, thank you for sympathizing with me. With the great amount of rejection you have received and still receiving from people, my rejections are nothing compared to yours. Help me to not give up on people, to not lose heart in teaching esp during the times when I do not see the "great learning" of what has been taught. It is You who will work within them, and I will trust in You. Help me to do my part faithfully, willingly, and wholeheartedly. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you through teaching your Word. I pray that You will continue to equip me and make your will known to me day by day as I study and live out Your word. In Jesus' name, amen.