Fruit-Bearing Disciples will Provoke Persecution

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” (John 15: 18-21).

Jesus prophesied that as His disciples were faithful to abide in Him, obey His word, keep His commandments, and love one another, they would bear much fruit, have the assurance that their prayers are answered, and be known as His friends (see John 15:1-17). As they remained rooted in Christ, God would be glorified in and through their lives… “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). But there would be another consequence of their maturing discipleship. The growing, shining glory of God reflected from their lives would produce a reaction from the unbelieving world, and the disciples would bear the brunt of the world’s rejection of the glory of God. The world cannot remain neutral in the presence of God. People will either run to or away from the Lord when His real presence and glory is revealed in the words and deeds of His disciples. Jesus warned that the unbelieving world will hate maturing disciples specifically because their Spirit-filled lives reveal the God who sent Him, the God they do not want to know. Jesus promised that in every age, fruit-bearing disciples will provoke persecution.

We’ve discussed the chief goal of every true disciple, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit teaches this truth through the pen of the apostle Paul… “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Today, as we sit at the Savior’s feet, our hearts are challenged to do some more self-reflecting. What do unbelieving people think of our faith in Christ? Do they see us as different from them? Do we say things that convict their consciences? Do we do things that chastise their character? Does our confidence in Christ sentence their soul? Jesus taught that those who love and keep His word will love us, but those who hate Him will also hate us. Today we hear Jesus teach two important truths about the life that glorifies God. He teaches that as we mature in the faith and God receives more and more glory in and through our lives, the unbelieving world will recognize that we are different and they will hate and persecute us.

Living to glorify God will make us more like Jesus and therefore different from the world… “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). As our hearts are filled with His word it replaces the deceptive, empty philosophy of the world with truth and we speak and act more like Christ, whom the unbelieving world hates… “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). God’s word planted in our hearts produces spiritual fruit that the world envies… “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). The unbelieving world is seeking the same qualities they see in us but they are unwilling to surrender to Jesus Christ, the source of our spiritual fruit. Therefore, they hate us because we have these qualities despite our circumstances and trials. But every time an unbeliever comes against us there is an opportunity to show them that Christ is the source of your confidence… “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:14-16). Therefore, with every attack we are encouraged even more to live for Christ and to love others into His kingdom.

As we grow up into Christ we are not surprised, but encouraged by the truth that…

Fruit-Bearing Disciples will Provoke Persecution.