(Jesus said) "If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19

Most people have become aware that radical Islamists don't much like Christians ... or anyone else for that matter.

According to India's Parliament member, Sakshi Maharaj, there are Hindus who would like to climb aboard that anti-Christian bandwagon.

Of course, you don't have to take my word for it. Maharaj, a member of the ruling Hindu nationalist party, has gone on record as saying, "Wait for some time. A law will be passed in Parliament in which anyone indulging in cow slaughter and conversion will be punished with the death sentence."

Understand, those remarks do not come from one, lone fellow who is standing all by himself on the far-out fringe of the India political system. Just before Christmas the Indian Parliament was forced to adjourn after some members of Parliament protested those nationalist Hindu groups who were trying to force reconversions to Hinduism.

The logic goes this way:

1. All citizens of India have come from a Hindu heritage.

2. When they, or some ancestor, converted from Hinduism, they deserted the faith.

3. For such a person to come back to being a Hindu, a process known as "ghar wapsi," well, that is really not a conversion at all. That individual is merely returning to where he should have been all along.

The words of prophecy, the words of warning shared by the Savior with His disciples have once again been verified. In 21st-century India, and in many other places, Christians can see Jesus was right when He said, "I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

The only question which remains is "How should Christians respond to such hatred?"

The Lord Jesus who gave His life to win our forgiveness and salvation, supplies God's answer in Revelation 2:10. There the crucified and risen Redeemer said, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

In support of faithfulness under pressure, we offer up our prayers of support.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we pray that our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted around the world may be given the strength to be faithful. May their witness, made under duress, point those who are currently lost to the Savior. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 14-15    Matthew 26:36-75

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