Who hates you, baby?!

I don't know about you, but when you stand for righteousness and say what God says, you will not be liked. If you answered the question in this post, "No one!" You may be too comfortable in this world system. As a matter of fact, you may even be a part of it. As Christian leaders, we are to be in the world as light and salt. This is our purpose for engaging with the world to flavor it with God's love and presence and to preserve a dying world from their sins through the work of the cross of Jesus Christ. So, it's one thing to be in the world and it's another thing entirely of the world.

Some signs we are in the world, but not of it:

*Radical boldness
*Uncompromising commitment to God's word and ways
*Divine wisdom in dealing with others
*Victory over the ways of the world
*Challenge wicked works
*Unmoved and swayed by the opinions of men
*Discern "your time and season" for the works of God

This post is to encourage you. If you are not well-received and liked, you are in good company. Look at what Jesus said in John 7:6-8

1 AFTER THIS, Jesus went from place to place in Galilee, for He would not travel in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.

2 Now the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was drawing near.

3 So His brothers said to Him, Leave here and go into Judea, so that [a]Your disciples [there] may also see the works that You do. [This is no place for You.]

4 For no one does anything in secret when he wishes to be conspicuous and secure publicity. If You [must] do these things [if You must act like this], show Yourself openly and make Yourself known to the world!

5 For [even] His brothers did not believe in or adhere to or trust in or rely on Him either.

6 Whereupon Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].

7 The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil.

8 Go to the Feast yourselves. I am not [yet] going up to the Festival, because My time is not ripe. [My term is not yet completed; it is not time for Me to go.]

Hold fast to your confession of faith my brother and sister, and be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord whether you are liked or hated.