By Greg Laurie at the Christian Post
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. - John 15:18-19
Church history tells the story of an aged man named Polycarp who was arrested and brought before the Roman proconsul in the Amphitheater. He was told to have respect for his old age and swear by the genius of Caesar, the implication being that all he had to do was say that Caesar was Lord, and he could go home for dinner.
But Polycarp responded by saying, "For eighty and six years have I been His servant, and he has done me no wrong, and how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" Polycarp was then taken to the stake to be burned alive. Polycarp died that day as a martyr, as a hero of the faith….
Some of us will run away at the first sign of mockery. Stephen and Polycarp died for their faith, as did many others. Can you live for yours? Can you stand up for Jesus? Can you risk embarrassment in front of people who don't agree with your point of view?
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