Those Who Are For Us Are More Than Those Who Are Against Us

Readings:
II Kings 6
John 15:11-27

Focus:
II Kings 6:16:"Elisha answered, 'Do not be afraid, for those on our side are more than those on theirs."
John 15:19:"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but you do not belong to the world, now that I have chosen you out of the world, and for that reason the world hates you."

These readings were actually quite pertinent to me at the moment. I sometimes get involved in discussions on other people's denominationally-related blogs, or in the Christians@Microsoft discussion list, and sometimes the discussions are with theological opponents and/or with self-proclaimed atheists. It so happens that I have been involved in not one but two such discussions the last few days, one with people who disagree with me (and others) theologically, and one with some atheists.

In both cases I have had to endure being called a liar, a bigot, and prejudiced, and other such labels, although I and those arguing with me never use labels for those we debate with. After a while, although one can dismiss these things as unreasonable, it does start to wear one down a little.

But tonight when I read these Bible passages I found some very helpful reminders. The world hated Jesus. Jesus is our master, and a servant is not greater than the master. If the world hated Jesus, it will hate us, too. It's no more than we should expect. Where Jesus is, there should we be, too. And we are in good company, with someone able to shelter us.

But also, those who are for us are more than those who are against us. Ultimately, we have all the power of God and his saints and angels on our side. We will be with him in the very end, and all will be well.

Dwelling in Jesus

Readings:
II Kings 5
John 15:1-10

Focus:
John 15:5b:"Anyone who dwells in me, as I dwell in him, bears much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

We want to be good people. We want to do what is right and to live good lives. But we can't do that on our own. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.

Moreover, if we don't dwell in him, we are barren of goodness, like withered branches, much like Elisha's servant Gehazi. Gehazi thought he could secretly get some of the bounty that Naaman had brought with him to reward Elisha for curing him of leprosy, so, even though Elisha had turned it down, he lied to Naaman about it and ended up getting some of it. But Elisha knew about the lie, and Gehazi ended up punished. Gehazi was not dwelling in God's ways, and this was the result.

No, if we want to be better people, if we want to live good lives, we need to dwell in Jesus.