8 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 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. 20 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. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 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. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 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. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’( John 15:8-25, NLT).
Have you ever wondered why, if you are set apart and called God’s own, it can feel so hard to see “success” in this world? Doesn’t following Jesus mean things will get easier?
Redefining Success
Don’t mistake a lack of approval, money, recognition, or praise for Jesus being disappointed in you. The fruit of your work isn’t measured by human applause or by society’s definition of success. Your true impact is in planting seeds of faith and representing Jesus to both the lost and the found, encouraging them to seek Him.
Whose World Is This?
This world doesn’t belong to God; it belongs to the enemy. Scripture tells us:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22-23
Spiritual gifts are given to believers to build up the body of Christ. These gifts include apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, guides, those who speak in other languages, and those who interpret them (1 Corinthians 12:27-31). The fruits and gifts of the Spirit shape us individually and equip us to strengthen the church.
The World’s Measure of Success
Success won’t be found in what society calls success. Look at who our culture praises: people who are hypersexual, scandalous, and often living immorally. They need a Savior.
It’s not our role to judge them, but to recognize that these are their ideals and aspirations. Why would they value us when we stand against everything they’ve been taught to believe? Often, they won’t—and they may never.
Rest Secure in Christ
Rest secure in your salvation. Extend grace and mercy to those who are lost. Expect them to feel uncomfortable around your faith, but remember the fruit of the Spirit. Can you allow Christ to witness through your steadfastness and kindness?
A Closing Reflection
We don’t deserve the grace of Christ. He gave it to us as a free gift. We never earned it; we simply accepted it. Those who are lost are bound by oppression and false beliefs, seeking peace through the things of this world but never finding it.
Pray for them. Your life may feel like a personal challenge to them, but know this: you are disrupting, deconstructing, and challenging the very paradigm that defines their meaning of life.
