Fitting In 

   “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” (Matt 10: 22) 

   Christians were never intended to fit in with the ways of the world.  In fact, we are to reject most of what the world calls good and pleasurable.  We live in this world, but we are not of this world.

   Even as Christ walked the earth the effort began to destroy Christianity.  Over the years those efforts have increased and decreased but have never disappeared.  I believe that today is one of those periods when the hatred of Christians is on the rise, and I fear that it will get far worse in the future.

   There is little I can do to change the fact that more and more people are opposed to Christianity and the worship of our Lord and Savior.  I could, as many do, try to disguise my faith by never allowing it to be seen in public, but that is anathema to me.  I can’t say that I am a Christian and then hide my faith in fear of being disliked or even hated.

   I can do what Christians have done throughout history.  I can let my faith be on display wherever I may be; I can show my love of God in all that I do.  If looked down upon by those who hate God, I can take that as a blessing, a testament to my faith.  The one thing that I must never do is lose my trust in the Lord.

   As Christians we cannot fit in with the world; to do so is to abandon the truths and teaching of Jesus.  We must make a stand; we profess our faith in our words and actions.  We must remember the words of Jesus, “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” (John 15: 18)