"... blessed are you when they revile you... for My sake...
One would think that, as followers of the Prince of Peace, we would be perceived as people of peace - that we would be friends over everyone, and have no enemies.
Yet our very essence, that is "Christ in us" by default, includes both peace from within and persecution from without. Though we are in this world, are are no longer of it. We are pilgrims, in a strange land. We are not of this world.
We need to reconcile this truth within ourselves or we will be forever conflicted in our identity as followers of Jesus.
You can try to be like the world but there will always come a time when the difference between you and others will be evident. When that day arises, you will have the grace and compassion to let his love pour through you. They, however, will not have that capacity. In their natural angst, they will persecute you. (And they may not be sure why.)
As you walk in the tension - that of being peacemaker and persecuted - remember you are not alone. You are surrounded by a cloud of past saints (and contemporary pilgrims) who were unmoved in the face of false accusations, rumors, and persecutions. They knew that their persecution acted as a polish, resulting in a glorious sheen on their heavenly trophies.
So they rejoiced.
So cease seeking and trying to make it all work out, presenting a euphoric inclusivity of all the cultures and families of the world, where Universalism can be embraced and all paths equally lead to the Father. That is simply untrue. Jesus Christ is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life in the Father. Affiliation with him changes everything. By our very Deified Nature, as the Body of the Living Christ, friction happens.
Friction happened with the prophets. Friction happened with the apostles, martyrs, saints. Friction even happened with Jesus. Why would anything less happen to us?
Friction is who we are.
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