"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated ME before you. This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own. But you are not of the world, since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.
Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted ME, they will also persecute you. If they kept MY word, they will keep yours as well. All this they will do to you on account of MY name, because they do not know the One who sent ME." - John 15:18-21
(In spite of JESUS' having returned to HIS FATHER to initiate a more effective and universal presence among humankind, Satan continues to act with the power he has usurped. The hatred of those who belong to Satan is directed against the believers and the Church. Such helpers of Satan are called in John's Gospel: the world.
Believers are destined to be hated by the world. It often happens that when a person begins to live in a more Christian and responsible way, she meets with opposition and hatred from her own family. No one knows what has aroused the hatred, but the devil does, who moves everything to discourage us.
Even in the Church we find those who are of the world and believe that they are serving GOD [16:2] when they persecute the true disciples of CHRIST. Some who identify themselves with what they consider "the interests of the Church" can even persecute, and at times with malice, those who are Gospel-minded. In reality they know neither JESUS nor HIS FATHER.
When our hope does not come from GOD, trials discourage us; but when our hope is rooted in GOD, we are strengthened and remain steadfast. In the parable of the vine, JESUS said: "MY FATHER prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.")
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