Latest Blog Post from He Knows My Name:

Please Don’t Hate Me

When you walk into a room, does the room feel the weight of your presence? Do you walk in with shoulders slouched, eyes staring down at your feet or rather do you walk in with head raised, shoulders back, with confidence that comes from somewhere inside? This confidence I speak of comes only from knowing the power of the Name that you represent.

There are no VIP positions in the family of God. Because God is our Father, we are all co-heirs with Christ. Paul, the author of Romans makes it quite clear when he records, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16&17NIV)

I know it is easy to marvel at the thought of getting to be God’s children, and co-heirs with Christ. However, I believe the last part of the scripture is often overlooked. The thought is held together by the word “if,” ““if” indeed we share in His sufferings.”

When Jesus walked the earth, His life was filled with incredible suffering. He was rejected and hated, for no reason. He was betrayed, yet He loved. Although He loved man, He did not live to please man. Jesus never entrusted Himself to man. Instead, He often withdrew to lonely places to pray, listening to His Father and doing exactly what His Father commanded Him. (Jn 14:30)

Jesus did not live in denial, He knew He was hated. His life was lived as an example for us of how we are to live our short lives on earth. He never forgot His purpose, and He never spent His energy trying to be accepted. Jesus made it very clear that the world hated Him without reason. He reminds us in John that “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (Jn 15:18&19)

It’s obvious that Jesus’ confidence is coming from His relationship with His Father. Instead of slouching His shoulders, running from one disciple to another pleading, “Please don’t hate me,” His energy is spent pleasing and obeying His Father.

Jesus has chosen us out of the world, to do the same.

I don’t know about you, but I am finished with being surprised that the world hates me. Instead, I will strive to follow my Savior’s example and listen only to His voice. I will no longer hide the confidence that He has given me, nor shrink back when asked to obey Him.

Trials produce suffering, suffering grows faith, faith refined by fire results in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Since glory follows suffering, let’s join together in holding on to the promise that one day we will be called out of this world that hates us, to share in His glory.

Stay the Course…

Sheila Cote’