You might think that it’s a good thing for people to speak well of you. In many cases it is; but not in all cases. Christians are called to be kind, gracious, loving, and patient people. They are also called to live lives of holiness and undying devotion to their Lord Jesus Christ. They are called to imitate Him and to tell others about the forgiveness available to all who repent of their sin and submit to Christ as Lord. Living such a life will endear you to some people, but it will elicit hatred from others. Some will speak well of you…others will not.
Jesus warned, “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26 NASB) Don’t misunderstand what Jesus is saying. As Christians we are not to go looking for trouble. But rest assured, if you truly follow Christ and imitate Him in this sinful world; trouble will find you. At times, this world will have serious problems with those who proclaim that salvation is only found in Jesus Christ. At times, people will be offended when Christians say that all are sinners in need of forgiveness. Even when a Christian speaks in a gracious manner, he or she will at times be maligned. That’s simply the way of the world. At least it’s the way of this fallen and depraved world. Following Christ will at times lead to you being ridiculed and even persecuted. But if the happens, Jesus has something to say to you as well. “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23 NASB)
In the greatest of ironies Jesus tells us that in days of old, the false prophets were praised while the true prophets were scorned. The same holds true today. So who will you imitate? If you’re like Christ and the true prophets…expect trouble in this life. If you’re like Satan and the false prophets, many may speak well of you. But as you ponder this, remember the eternal realties of both paths. Following Christ leads to eternal life in Heaven, following Satan and the world leads to eternal condemnation in Hell.
So how are you living today? Is everyone speaking well of you? Beware! That might not be a good thing. Are you ridiculed for following Christ? Rejoice! Your reward in Heaven is great.
