For Christ Amidst Againsters

“The Jews sought to kill Him…” [1]

Jesus told His own brothers, who incidentally did not believe in Him, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” [2]

“There was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, ‘He is good;’ others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.’” [3]

Some Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” [4]

Jesus urged the people, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” [5]

“Some of them from Jerusalem said, ‘Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?’” [6]

“Many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?’” [7]

Many from the crowd said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” [8]

“But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’ So, there was a division among the people because of Him.” [9]

“And everyone went to his own house.” [10]

Do you see it? The responses to Jesus were diverse then, and the responses to Him are diverse now. What is your response to Jesus? Especially when He is bringing the conviction of sin? The proper response to Jesus is to acknowledge that He alone is the Messiah sent from God. The only Savior of the world. The only one who gives the Holy Spirit to whosoever believes in His Name.

The problem with the Christian faith is not its Founder and Leader… our Lord Jesus Christ, but the opposition that comes from those who refuse to believe in Him and persecute those who do. Righteous ones! You who confess Christ as your Lord and Savior below are some of God’s promises of protection and faithfulness to you:

“Do not fret because of evildoers… they shall soon be cut down like the grass…” [11]

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” [12]

“For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off.” [13]

“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed.” [14]

“For the Lord loves justice and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.” [15]

“The wicked watches the righteous and seeks to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” [16]

“I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed, I sought him, but he could not be found.” [17]

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” [18]

[1] John 7:1
[2] John 7:5-7
[3] John 7:12
[4] John 7:15
[5] John 7:24
[6] John 7:25-26
[7] John 7:31
[8] John 7:40-41
[9] John 7:41-43
[10] John 7:53
[11] Psalm 37:1-2
[12] Psalm 37:7-11
[13] Psalm 37:22
[14] Psalm 37:25-26
[15] Psalm 37:28-29
[16] Psalm 37:32-33
[17] Psalm 37:35-36
[18] Psalm 37:39-40