Jesus did not promise all His followers popularity, but LIFE. We need only to remember that “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4; John 15:18-19; 1 John 2:15). Men who conform to the world will not change it. Early Christians were often deeply hated, despised, and persecuted. Some were even murdered, but the Gospel spread; “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” Ten of the twelve disciples died violently for their Lord. Jesus Himself said, “The world will hate you because I am not of the world.”
~Winkie Pratney
Youth Aflame 2.0