The Church vs The World and how it affects you.

If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;

but because you do not belong to the world,

and I have chosen you out of the world,

the world hates you."

When Jesus spoke these words, he could have been speaking about the world we live in today. We know, some of us from experience, that it is not easy to be a Christian in the second millennium, but then, it wasn't easy in the first or even during the time of the Apostles.  

What makes us different than the animals is that we have a soul that is immortal and we have a mind that knows this and is self-aware of its existence. Our mind cannot fathom a world that does not include it.  I've said before that my one problem with dying is the knowledge that while I am busy shutting down, my former neighbor will be getting ready to go to EPCOT center. My friends and family will probably after they hear of my death, wonder what the church will feed them after the funeral service. In Washington D.C. our legislators will spend more time doing nothing useful.  In other words, life on this planet will continue and more than likely, thrive without the presence of Michael The Lesser on it, whose main contribution is filling up an internet blog with prattle! 

If we all realize that our fate is a common one, no matter if there is a God or not, why don't we play nice with each other?  A Christian person should be leading the way by giving a good example, by being kind, and being forgiving to others.  

Look at the benefits of being a Christian.  First, living a Christian life will make the time on earth that we have much more pleasant.  Next and the most important thing is we receive eternal life at the end of our time on this little blue marble that floats in the Orion arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.  When you join, let's say an auto club, you usually get some sort of premium, a map case, a dog whistle, a brillo pad, it doesn't matter, it is a free premium because you are paying to become a member.  A Christian gets what a Christian gets absolutely free because we cannot buy our way into heaven. The news, nay, nay I say, The good news is that heaven and eternal life with God is a free gift given to us by the Father because He loves us so very much.  Okay, the last sentence was over the top, but still it was true! 

It is kind of ironic that as the indication that the Church is doing a good job is that the world hates it more and more. So, where does this leave us on May 20, 2017?  We need to step up our game. We need to be more Christ-like in our lives.  We must be willing to accept the retribution, without anger, actually with joy,  and we must continue to try to live out the Word as best as we can.  We must love more, help more, work more, and especially pray more.  WE must always remember the command of Jesus to love one another as He loved us.   The hatred of the world can be overcome if we put our hearts and souls into the effort. 

God bless you today, please, take a moment right now, and pray for someone that you know that needs it.  Pray and thank God that you are on of his adopted children.  Do it now.  Schedule a five-minute prayer break for yourself every day, put it in your phone's calendar like you put the  other ordinary  things that you just have to do. Make prayer a required time in your day.  Saint Francis, who worked his whole life trying to imitate Jesus said at the end of his life,  "Let us begin today brothers, for until now we have done nothing."   Let us begin, the time is right and the time is NOW!