“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”
John 15:19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.15.19.NLT
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” I John 3:1
thedailylily.com 
That is a stunning photo, Sara. Besides being a beautiful rainbow, it seems to emanate light all around it. I read online that “The rainbow effect occurs because the light is then reflected inside the droplet and finally refracted out again into the air.”
That rainbow is a beautiful reminder of God’s promises and faithfulness. And I think the scriptures you wrote are promises also…promises that real followers of Christ will be hated by the world because the world does not love this beautiful Light. “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:20).
“I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you”…I think this is a real sobering standard to measure our lives by.
The last few days I was reminded to go back and read vs 18 of John 15 The Words of Jesus, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
John 15:18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.15.18.NLT
Recently, in eastern NC, my roots, Franklin Graham came to a small town and drew a crowd termed 8,000 people. I was astonished with the first reports online from some locals of their detest of his teachings. Then they began to attack his character and motives. Spouting off Mr Graham’s salary. Said he was using his father’s brand for gain. Plus more! This one particular person has a very large online following. They take pride in being highly educated in some of the best schools of NC. And, during this talk, if that’s what it’s called, let us know they were called to whatever they call themselves to tell others this. They let us know he didn’t have love and was judging others. She knew the Bible said, “do not judge”. What was she and some of her followers doing? Confusing?
I understand and rather enjoy the power of debates and opinions but this seem to have a category of its own. I could only think of what Jesus said about himself, they hated me and they will hate you if you don’t follow/join/be part of them.
I think one thing we might all agree on these words are fighting words when in action…love and hate! Heaven and Hell!
“After reading this blog, I can’t be silent, as I was present at Franklin Graham’s Tidewater Tour in Edenton. Yes, there were thousands of people there, worshipping the Lord. I did not hear anything Franklin Graham said, that was not truth. He called sin, sin but said there was forgiveness in Jesus Christ. There were many that stood at the end of his approximately 22 minute sermon and made a decision for Christ! Praise God people were moved by the Holy Spirit to surrender to Christ! The Bible says in John 8:31-32 , “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” Thank God we still have people, like Franklin Graham that will speak and teach God’s truth, from His Word. The title from the tour was in big letters, “God Loves You” and He does love us! He sent His ONLY Son to die a cruel death so that ALL could have eternal life!
Thank you Tammy for sharing Hope for all. You are in the beautiful category of love, peace and joy for the ones that hear the good news and follow His teachings! Thank you Franklin Graham!
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it,”… What Sara wrote and Tammy witnessed and shared reminded me of something Sara wrote in one of her retreat books, Throwing Your Light Forward. It was in the chapter of Fellowship. Seems there was not much fellowship “from some locals of their detest of his teachings.” at Franklin Graham’s Tidewater Tour in Edenton. Sara quotes 2 Cor 6:14 in her book chapter and says, “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Further on in the chapter, there is a section titled, “Enemies OF the church in one mind and accord…Circuit of Agreement”, and states, “Let us examine our relationships and ourselves and see if we are functioning in darkness or light.” The comments against Franklin Graham and the gospel message sound like darkness.
I think this scripture is as relevant today as it was in the when this verse was written about “enemies of the church”….” ”Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you. For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation], whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things.” Philippians’ 3:17-19 AMP
Being honest I find these scriptures difficult to digest and accept. Yet, it seems everywhere I go in my community the talk is just how difficult living in community has become. We all know the daily news that gives us hour by hour or maybe minute by minute details of lives loss by being in school, or a mall, or your home, or a church, medical facility…we heard we have got to do something, make more laws, more restrictions etc. granted that is the job of our political system to help find answers. Some think a one man show called President might be a perfect answer.
Then Franklin Graham and others with same message come into our communities and offer solutions that has answers if we live by the teachings of a man called Jesus. The Messiah! Savior, interesting title isn’t it?
Seeds are sowed and some fall on good soil Matthew 13:23-33 NIV 23 “…the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Tammy confirmed many responded and received the good deed in their hearts and their lives were changed and as they walk the tracings out they will be part of the change makers.
Yet, the ones that heard and rejected the seed read this first part of a parable Jesus gave. Matthew 13:19-22
When we go back to the one that came to meeting and left with rejecting Mr Graham’s seeds she garnered her truth to her followers in various ways opposing the seeds he planted. Another she mentioned was if one could bring together thousands of people in an arena such as these fair grounds in a little town they should expound on guns? Gun control-laws?
Yet, “Take up…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
Hopefully, as we communicate Bibical truth which does go against the world’s thinking often times and causing us to be rejected or hated some will te dive the truth.
Our hope is then our communities may have answers with power that can only come from God, the creator of heaven and earth. And, we pray the prayer He taught,”… his will be done on earth as in heaven.”