“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” John 15:20
I have been asking myself, the Lord, and friends why God’s children are at times maligned and falsely accused, shunned, or ignored. Recently God gave me insights that are worth sharing with you.
Consider our Master, Jesus Christ. He is totally perfect. He loved the world so much that He gave up His life to die for our sins. Even now He waits to show us compassion and wants to be our friend, our protector, our wisdom, our strength, and our song.
Despite all He has done and is doing for the world, He is still constantly hated and maligned. People curse Him, ignore Him, and shun Him. Even we, His followers, ignore Him at times.
Isn’t it reasonable (and scriptural) then that we, His followers, shouldn’t feel that we are being treated unfairly when we are maligned? After all, we are being treated like our Master. Should we, His servants, expect to be treated better than our Lord?
In his book The Attributes of God, Dr. Bright wrote, “Because God is just . . . . He will treat me fairly.”
Be encouraged — when we are mistreated, He has promised to be there with us and always give us the strength and love we need to be able to walk through it and respond with a Godly attitude.
How then should we respond? We should, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
Lord Jesus, as Your followers, we commit ourselves to keep from whining when we are shunned, maligned, ignored, or mistreated. You are perfect and You are subject to this treatment all the time, yet You keep loving everyone. Produce in us supernatural love. Amen.
By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• Broken but Made Beautiful
• Beauty out of Brokenness
• Salvation Explained