December 3 – IF

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  John 15:18-22

Our son’s favorite sayings when he was a small boy was…“what if?”! And our daughter’s favorite was… “I know.” So still today we at least inwardly grin if we hear…what if or I know. Here Jesus keeps repeating “IF.” If the world hates you…if you were of the world…if they persecuted Me…If I had not come…. But Jesus defends us in all these things—remember again that He has chosen us. We are not greater than Him but we are part of His family. We may have to suffer some things because we have chosen Him, but He chose us first and has paid a great price for us…for our salvation. That price has bought us a great spiritual feast—that began the day we accepted Him as our Savior. So savor His words and if you ever have to face persecution, remember His words and focus on them—and on Jesus Himself. He has promised, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5. Claim that promise now and always. I do.   

Jesus—Thank you that you have promised to never leave us or forsake us—for we are your family and family sticks close together.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).