by Gary S. Hatrick
Each Christian has a unique story to tell. It is a story of being dead and brought to life, a story of being blind and made to see; a story of being imprisoned in darkness and being brought into the light. The ways that their lives manifested death, darkness, and blindness may differ, but there is one common denominator: Meeting Jesus made the difference.
Becoming a Christian is more than just “getting religion.” It is more than “making a decision for Jesus” as some like to put it. It is more than knowing who He is and having nice things to say about Him. It means you give more than lip service to Him. It means you trust only in Him for your eternal life, worship Him, follow Him, and obey Him. It means you are no longer your own, but you are His. He lives in you, and you live as He commands.
It also means you will suffer. Perhaps that seems blunt, but it is the truth. In II Tim 3:12 the apostle Paul writes: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus Himself said: “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.” (John 15: 18-20)
The traditional History of all the apostles would attest to the truth of these statements, but let me give you a Scriptural object lesson. In John 11, Jesus travels to Bethany where he brings a man named Lazarus back from the dead. There is no doubt he was dead because he had been so for four days. In the next chapter, the Bible records that Jesus returns to Bethany and has dinner with Lazarus and his sisters. We are told that the home of Lazarus had become something of a “tourist attraction.” A lot of people were visiting the home to see Lazarus because he was a living man who had been undoubtedly dead. This is understandable. Even in those days, you did not see a lot of people who were dead and likely decaying in the Middle Eastern heat up and about and having dinner.
The account goes on to say that the enemies of Jesus, the high priests and the Pharisees and other leaders, not only wanted to kill Jesus, but they also wanted to kill Lazarus. You see, he was proof of who Jesus is. He had been brought from death to life. It was unmistakable that his life was the work of Jesus.
If you have been brought from death to life by Jesus, it should be unmistakable; people should be able to see that you have been made alive by Jesus. You should be irrefutable proof of the truth of the gospel, and the new life Christ gives you. There should be a difference between you and a world full of people who are still dead and living in darkness.
Consequently, anyone who hates Jesus should hate you as well. You should also have the right enemies. We all know the importance of having the right friends, but it is just as important to have the right enemies. You may say, “I don’t know anyone who hates Jesus.” Maybe that’s because you do not allow Jesus to live His life through you.
Is there no one at all who doesn’t like you because you speak of Jesus and try to live like Jesus? If not, perhaps you should consider your ways. (Your questions and comments are welcome. Send them to
