ESOCS Devotional 14 June 2024 – Stay Positive Amidst of Negative Attitudes
MEMORY VERSE: “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” John 15:24
TEXT: JOHN 15:18-27
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 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 keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
Hatred is a very negative attitude. It can be caused by a reason or none. This was the experience of our Lord Jesus Christ when he was incarnate on earth. He was hated without a cause, even in His good works out of goodwill, He was still hated by the world (Jn. 15:25).
Taking our memory verse literally, we will see that those who hate have these characteristics:
- They do not see any good in the subject of their hate: In all the good things the Lord Jesus Christ did in His days, they saw none, acknowledged none, but criticized all. They even went as far as ascribing His good works to the devil (Matthew 12:24). The Bible stated that Jesus Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, and that He went about doing good, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). If you are among those who do not see anything good in others, check your heart. You might be carrying the spirit of hatred.
- Those who hate are always in sin: Love is the main umbrella attitude of righteousness. Every other good attitude takes its root from love. Anything that is not of love is not of faith; therefore, it is of sin. Anyone who hates is in sin big time. His eyes will be blinded to goodwill and good works. The Lord Jesus said if He had not done these works even the ones no one else has done, they would not have had sin. They saw the good works and still hated Him and the Father. So, staying away from hatred helps one to stay away from sin.
In all of these, the Lord Jesus Christ did not respond with hatred against the world. Rather, even on the Cross of pain and anguish, He still prayed the Father to forgive His haters. He stayed positive in the middle of negative attitude towards Him. He focused on His mission on earth and finished it successfully.
Beloved, if we are going to be the true disciples of Jesus Christ, we must learn to stay positive in the midst of hatred, misunderstood intentions and false accusations. These are some of the shades of the colours of hatred. They may come against anyone, more so, Christians with or without a cause or reason. We must not respond in kind. Love and goodwill should always define our actions and reactions. We should stay positive on the side of Christ Jesus. Only Jesus, through His Spirit, can give such a heart of love. He gives it to those who believe in Him and accept His death on the Cross as their penalty for sin. Do not let negative attitudes sway you. Our Lord Jesus Christ said He suffered it first; so, count it all joy and stay on the job. Do not hate your haters or join issues with your critics. Stay on the gospel with love and goodwill.
- How do you react to negative attitudes towards you?
- Father, thank you for this word today. I receive grace to remain positive in this world.
Further Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 10:11-end
ESOCS Devotional 14 June 2024
