Jesus' Warning About Worldly Approval in the New Testament

This truth addresses the reality of living a life faithful to Christ in a world that often opposes Him. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." However, this does not mean that all things will be easy or that everyone will approve of our actions. In fact, Jesus teaches that His followers will face persecution and hatred from the world, as seen in John 15:18-19, where He says, "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."

This teaching highlights the idea that if everyone likes a person, they are probably not a faithful follower of Christ, as the world's values and Christ's values are often in conflict. This is a difficult truth, but it is one that is rooted in Scripture and is essential for believers to understand.

The gospel connection to this truth is that Christ's followers are called to take up their cross and follow Him, even in the face of persecution and hatred. This requires a deep trust in God's sovereignty and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel. As a pastor, it is essential to remind believers that they are not alone in their struggles and that God is always working for their good, even in the midst of hardship.