DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday October 26, Since they are not part of the world, the world hates them (John 15:19).

DAILY TEXT, Wednesday October 26, 2022,  Since they are not part of the world, the world hates them (John 15:19).

Examine the Scriptures Every Day 202 2

Wednesday, October 26

Because they are not part of the world, the world hates them (John 15:19).

Today, there are people who despise us, make fun of us and consider us ignorant and inferior. Why? Because we don't have the same attitude as the people around us. The world admires those who are proud, arrogant and rebellious. But we strive to be humble, gentle, and obedient. Also, we do not get involved in politics or enlist in the army of any country. Because we refuse to fit into the mold of this world, we are considered inferior (Rom. 12:2). Despite what the world thinks of us, Jehovah is using us to accomplish extraordinary things. For example, he is conducting the largest preaching campaign in history. His servants publish the most translated and distributed magazines in the world, and we use the Bible to help millions of people improve their lives. And it's all thanks to Jehovah. w20. 07 15 paras. 5, 6.

at did the apostle Paul honestly acknowledge?

The Apostle honestly admitted that he sometimes felt weak. He said that his body was “wearing out,” that he struggled to do what was right, and that Jehovah did not always answer his prayers as he expected (2 Cor. 4:16; 12:7-9; Rom. 7:21-23). He also admitted that his enemies claimed he was weak-looking.b But he did not allow the negative opinions of others or his own weaknesses to make him feel that he was worthless (2 Cor. 10:10 -12, 17, 18).

According to 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, what valuable lesson did Paul learn?

Paul learned a very valuable lesson: that a person can feel weak but actually be very strong (read 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10). When Jehovah told Paul “my power is fully shown in weakness,” he meant that he would give him the strength he lacked. First, let's see why we shouldn't be too concerned about being insulted by enemies.

Why can we rejoice when “receiving insults”?

Nobody likes to be insulted. But, if we worry too much when enemies insult us, we can get discouraged (Prov. 24:10). So how should we view their attacks? We can do like Paul and rejoice when “receiving insults” (2 Cor. 12:10). Why? Because insults and opposition are proof that we are true disciples of Christ (1 Pet. 4:14). Jesus said that his followers would suffer persecution (John 15: 18-20). And that was what happened in the first century. For example, for those who had allowed themselves to be influenced by Greek culture, Christians were ignorant and inferior. And for the Jews they were “common men and with little education”, as they said of the apostles Peter and John (Acts 4:13). Many thought that Christians were weak, as they had no political influence or military power, and society despised them.

How did the early Christians react to the negative opinions of their enemies?

The early Christians did not let the negative views of their enemies stop them. For example, the apostles Peter and John were honored to be persecuted for being Jesus' disciples and for telling others about his teachings (Acts 4:18-21; 5:27-29, 40-42). First-century Christians had no reason to feel ashamed. After all, those humble disciples did humanity more good than any of their enemies. As a sample button, the books that some of them wrote by divine inspiration continue to bring help and hope to millions of people. And the Kingdom they preached is not only a reality in our day, but will soon rule all mankind (Matt. 24:14). Instead, the powerful political power that persecuted them has been buried in the ashes of history. Furthermore, those loyal disciples today are kings in heaven. But his enemies are dead; and, if they are resurrected, they will be governed by the Kingdom preached by the Christians whom they hated (Rev. 5:10)