Thursday, March 26, 2026

Opening Scripture

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

Opening Prayer

Most Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry, and I humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 15:18-25

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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.”

“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. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 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.”

“Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 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. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”

Reflection  

In today’s passage, Jesus again emphasizes the significance of our true citizenship and allegiance, our loyalty and devotion, our passion and priority. When we cross over from death to life, we become citizens of Heaven and pledge our allegiance to King Jesus. Our loyalty and devotion are to Him. Knowing the Lord Jesus personally and doing His will are our passion and priority.

As Jesus’ disciples, we should be so closely aligned with Him that we receive the same reaction from the world that He does. We are “Christ’s ambassadors” on Earth, representing His message and mission, so “if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated (Him) first.”

This assumes the world’s “hatred” isn’t deserved based on hypocrisy, self-righteousness, or bad behavior. Suffering the consequences of immoral, illegal, or inappropriate conduct is justified, regardless of “religious affiliation.”

However, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:14-16).

It’s important to remember that, when John uses the word “world” (cosmos), it can refer to a physical planet, human beings, or cultures and behaviors hostile to God. John uses “cosmos” seventy-eight times in his gospel, often shifting from one meaning to another, so you have to pay attention. Clearly, the last definition is intended here.

God created the universe, including our world, and said that it was good. God loves the people who populate the world so much that he sent his Son to die for them. Yet God condemns the corrupt systems and seductive values advanced by Satan, “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). To support or participate in any movement that exists in opposition to God is to function as His “enemy.”

James echoes this point when he says, “Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Again, it’s about our loyalty, allegiance, passions, and priorities, not about caring for people!

As disciples of the Lord Jesus, our love for God dictates how we live. Our identity “in Christ” guides our daily decisions. “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world” (1 Peter 2:12).

Flourishing Habit

Character and Virtue

It should come as no surprise that followers of Jesus are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Some estimates put the number of Christians currently at risk of suffering violence for their faith at about 380 million worldwide.

The countries where Christians experience the most persecution and discrimination, according to Open Doors, are North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. They report that 2 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Asia, and 1 in 5 are persecuted in Africa.

Todd Nettleton, with Voice of the Martyrs, recently explained that persecution is increasing in both severity and geographical spread, particularly in China, where the government is cracking down nationwide, and across Africa, where radical Islamist groups are expanding southward with violent attacks.

Take a moment to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing persecution for their faith in the Lord Jesus. “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3).

• Pray for Christians who are suffering for their faith. Pray for protection from harm, hope in the midst of pain, the profound comforting presence of Jesus, the miraculous power of the indwelling Spirit, and a divine and convicting witness to their tormentors.
• Pray for the families and loved ones of those who are suffering. Pray for daily material provision, strengthened faith in the Lord Jesus, comfort in the shared struggle, and the active presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
• Pray for “underground” churches meeting in homes and secret places. Pray that these believers would have access to Scripture, encouragement in Christian fellowship, power in Spirit-filled worship, and opportunities to share the Light of the world in the midst of darkness.

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!