Posts that reference the Gospel of John

We’ve come to the final post in our “Chosen” series. We’ve explored the tension of being set apart, the community we’re called to build, the purpose we’re appointed to fulfill, and the vital connection that makes it all possible. Today, we’re tackling something Jesus was refreshingly honest about—opposition.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” – John 15:18

The Reality of Resistance

There’s a popular version of Christianity that suggests if you’re doing everything right, everyone will like you and life will go smoothly. But that’s not what Jesus promised. In fact, He guaranteed the opposite: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”

These aren’t exactly the encouraging words we might hope for! But there’s something deeply reassuring about Jesus’ honesty. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of following Him. Instead, He prepares us for the reality that living as “chosen” people in a world with different values will inevitably create friction.

This opposition might look like outright persecution in some contexts. But for many of us, it shows up in subtler ways—being misunderstood, feeling out of step with the culture, facing social awkwardness when our values differ from those around us, or being labeled as judgmental or narrow-minded simply for holding to biblical convictions.

Why Opposition Happens

Jesus explains the reason for this opposition with remarkable clarity: “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” (John 15:19).

The resistance we face isn’t primarily personal—it’s a reaction to the different kingdom we represent. When our priorities, values, and allegiances don’t align with the dominant culture, it creates natural tension. As C.S. Lewis insightfully noted, “If you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road.”

This helps explain why even kind, generous Christians who genuinely love others still face opposition. It’s not usually about our personality or even our approach—it’s about the message itself and the King we represent.

Finding Peace in the Pushback

So how do we navigate this opposition without becoming bitter, fearful, or combative? Jesus offers several powerful insights:

1. Remember you’re in good company – “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Opposition doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it might mean you’re doing something right. You’re walking the same path Jesus walked.
2. Understand the root issue – “They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me” (John 15:21). Opposition often stems from spiritual blindness, not personal animosity. This helps us respond with compassion rather than defensiveness.
3. Recognize the privilege – Throughout Scripture, facing opposition for Christ is framed as an honor, not just a hardship. As Peter later wrote, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed” (1 Peter 4:14).
4. Keep your focus on audience of One – Jesus lived for the Father’s approval, not popular opinion. When we do the same, opposition loses much of its sting.

Practical Responses to Opposition

When you face resistance because of your faith, here are some practical ways to respond:

1. Check your approach – Sometimes opposition comes because of our methods, not our message. Ask yourself honestly: “Am I representing Christ well in how I engage with others?”
2. Choose your battles wisely – Not every issue requires a public stand. Discern which matters are central to the gospel and which are peripheral.
3. Respond with grace and truth – Jesus was full of both (John 1:14). Avoid the extremes of harsh truth without grace or pleasant grace without truth.
4. Look for the opportunity – Opposition often opens doors for powerful witness. Some of your most significant spiritual conversations may come from moments of tension.
5. Pray for those who oppose you – Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44) transforms how we see those who resist us.

Finding Strength in Community

One of the reasons Jesus emphasized loving one another (as we discussed in “Chosen: Community”) is that we need each other especially when facing opposition. When you’re swimming against the cultural current, you need fellow swimmers who understand the struggle and can encourage you to keep going.

This is why regular church attendance isn’t just a nice religious activity—it’s essential spiritual reinforcement. As Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, we shouldn’t neglect meeting together, “and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The more our values clash with the surrounding culture, the more we need the strength of community.

The Promise Beyond Opposition

Jesus doesn’t end His teaching on opposition with discouragement but with hope: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The opposition we face is real but temporary. The victory Christ secured is eternal. When we face resistance because of our chosen identity, we can do so with confidence—not in our own strength, but in the finished work of the One who chose us.

As we conclude this series, remember that being chosen by Christ means living with tension in a world with different values. It means building authentic community with fellow believers. It means pursuing purpose by bearing lasting fruit. It means abiding in Christ as our source of life. And yes, it sometimes means facing opposition.

But through it all, we have this unshakable assurance: the same Christ who chose us will sustain us. The same love that selected us will strengthen us. And the same purpose that appointed us will ultimately be accomplished through us—not because of our ability, but because of His faithfulness.

Thank you for journeying through this series. May you walk confidently as one chosen by Christ—for His glory and for the good of a world that desperately needs to see what His chosen people look like.

Next Up: Servant Songs

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

We’ve been on quite a journey exploring what it means to be chosen by Christ. We’ve talked about the tension it creates with the world, the community it forms among believers, and the purpose it gives us to bear lasting fruit. But today we’re getting to something absolutely fundamental—the power source for everything else.

The Secret to Fruitfulness

Have you ever tried really, really hard to be a good Christian? To be more loving, more patient, more faithful? How did that work out? If you’re anything like me, probably not as well as you hoped.

That’s because Jesus gives us a completely different approach to spiritual growth. He says the secret isn’t in trying harder but in connecting deeper. “Abide in me,” He says. Stay connected. Remain. Dwell. Live in me.

This vine-and-branches metaphor is brilliantly simple yet profound. A branch doesn’t strain to produce grapes. It simply stays connected to the vine, and the life-giving sap flows naturally, resulting in fruit. The branch’s job isn’t production—it’s connection.

What Does Abiding Look Like?

So what does it actually mean to “abide” in Christ? The Greek word used here (menō) means to remain, stay, continue, dwell. It suggests ongoing relationship rather than occasional visits.

Abiding looks like:

1. Regular time in His presence – Not just dutiful devotions, but genuine connection. As Scripture Lullabies notes, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…” leads to fruit that will be lasting.
2. Ongoing conversation – Prayer that’s less about formal requests and more about continuous dialogue throughout your day.
3. Attentive listening – Becoming familiar with His voice through Scripture and the quiet promptings of His Spirit.
4. Responsive obedience – Adjusting your life based on what He’s showing you. Jesus says in John 15:10, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”
5. Dependent trust – Acknowledging “apart from me you can do nothing” isn’t just theology—it’s daily reality.

Abiding in a Busy World

Let’s be real—abiding sounds lovely in theory but challenging in practice. Our world runs on productivity, achievement, and self-sufficiency. How do we maintain this vital connection in the midst of demanding schedules and constant distractions?

1. Start where you are – Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Even five focused minutes of connection are better than an hour of distracted “devotions.”
2. Find your rhythm – Some connect best in the morning quiet, others during a lunch break or evening wind-down. When are you most present and receptive?
3. Create triggers for awareness – Use regular activities (stopping at red lights, washing hands, drinking coffee) as reminders to reconnect with Christ’s presence.
4. Simplify your spiritual practices – Sometimes less is more. One verse deeply considered might nourish you more than chapters skimmed.
5. Embrace “both/and” living – Abiding isn’t just for quiet retreat times; it can happen in the carpool line or during work meetings. As Next Step Disciple points out, sometimes we’re “so focused on serving Christ with our lives and honoring Him in everything we do that we forget to just be with Him.”

When Abiding Feels Difficult

There are seasons when connection feels easy and natural, and others when it feels forced or distant. During those harder times:

1. Be honest about the struggle – God isn’t surprised or disappointed by your difficulty connecting.
2. Look for what’s blocking connection – Is it busyness? Unconfessed sin? Disappointment with God? Identifying the obstacle is the first step to removing it.
3. Remember it’s a relationship, not a technique – Sometimes we overcomplicate abiding. It’s about being with Someone who loves you, not performing spiritual exercises perfectly.
4. Start with receiving rather than doing – Begin by simply receiving God’s love and presence, rather than trying to generate feelings or insights.

The beautiful thing about abiding is that it’s not primarily about what we do for God, but what He does in and through us. As we stay connected to the Vine, His life naturally flows through us, producing fruit we could never generate on our own.

This is the paradox of the Christian life: our greatest productivity comes from our deepest dependency. When we abide in Christ, we discover that the fruit we’ve been striving so hard to produce begins to grow naturally—not by our effort, but by His life working through us.

Next week, we’ll conclude our series with “Chosen: Opposition” as we explore how our chosen identity helps us face resistance from a world that operates by different values (John 15:18-25). We’ll discover how to maintain peace and purpose even when swimming against the cultural current.