Known For Good Works, Whatever Criticism that Brings
[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 also keep yours. [21] But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. [22] If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. [23] Whoever hates me hates my Father also. [24] If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. [25] But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
[26] “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. [27] And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Sometimes it’s easy for Christians to get a martyr complex when the world seems like it’s going to Hell in a handcart. The fact is, this is one of the ways that the Holy Spirit shows up in His people. The Lord loves to encourage and build up the church in times of hardship.
Let’s not be surprised when the world hates an idea or a good work that we do. At the same time, let’s make sure that dwelling in Christ and proclaiming the forgiveness of sins is what we are known for.
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