Jesus Helps Me Stand for What Is Right
đź“– “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.“
—John 15:18 (NKJV)
Jesus told His disciples that following Him would not always make them popular. Some people would reject them because they belonged to Him.
That may sound frightening, but Jesus told them beforehand so they would understand. If someone did not like them because they followed Jesus, it did not mean they had done something wrong.
Sometimes you may be the only person who wants to do what God says is right. A friend may want you to lie. Other children may make fun of someone and expect you to join them. Someone may tell you that obeying Jesus does not matter.
It can be hard to stand apart.
But Jesus knows exactly what that feels like. Some people rejected Him even though He always spoke truth and never sinned. When you face rejection because you are faithfully obeying Him, you are following the same Lord who was rejected before you.
That does not mean Christians should try to make people dislike them. Jesus teaches us to love others. We should be kind, gentle, truthful, and respectful. If someone is upset because we were rude or unkind, we should admit our wrong and ask forgiveness.
But we should never disobey Jesus just to get other people’s approval.
The apostles had to learn this after Jesus returned to heaven. When people commanded them to stop speaking about Jesus, Peter and the other apostles answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29, NKJV).
They knew whom they belonged to.
You can remember that too.
When doing what is right makes you feel alone, Jesus has not left you. You can pray for courage, remember what His Word says, and choose obedience even when others choose differently.
Knowing Jesus means His approval becomes more important than being accepted by everyone around you.
You do not need to fight people who disagree with you.
You simply need to remain faithful to Christ.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me courage to obey You even when other people choose differently. Help me never be rude, proud, or unkind, but keep me from doing wrong just because I want someone to like me. When I feel alone for doing what is right, remind me that You understand and that I belong to You. Help me stand faithfully and lovingly for Your truth. Amen.
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