1 Corinth 1:28

"...And the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen,...1 Corinth 1:28

It is natural to want people to like us. We feel good when others say good things about us. I know I do enjoy compliments and the like. But if we are honest many, if not most, of us have at one time or another been despised by someone else. It may have been a coworker, a fellow student, a former friend (or false friend), even, sad to say, a fellow church member.

And one of the things that happens is that when others despise us, we find it easy to despise ourselves. In part, we define ourselves by the reflection we see in the eyes of others. What is worse, though, is that in this process of redefining our self-worth, we can come to believe that we are worth nothing to the program of God. When that happens, Satan rejoices.

If Satan can't get you to turn your back on God, then he will opt for the next best thing - to neutralize you for ministry. He will come to you and say, "Pastor Edwin, you see how badly that person thinks about you. Well, there are others just like him/her who are just too polite to say so. And well, they all can't be wrong, so you really are no good. Don't kid yourself that God can use you. How could he possibly use someone hated by everybody."

Do you see the progression in this? One person's negative opinion is soon expanded to include the whole world and even God himself. But remember, Satan is a Liar. Even when he tells the truth, he never tells all the truth and he always distorts it.

What does the Bible say? It says that God has specifically chosen things (that includes people) which are despised to work for him. How you hold up under criticism, mockery, or betrayal becomes a testimony to others of God's grace. A testimony to others of God's grace. There are many sets of eyes watching and evaluating your Christian walk. If you keep walking straight on toward the mark of the high calling of Jesus when you are being reviled by another, people will wonder how that happened and that gives you an opening to share the Good News of another one who was "despised and rejected" of men. Who was unfairly accused and lied about and eventually killed on a Roman cross as people mocked in the crowd below.

So, the next time you face opposition in your life, just remember, you're in good company. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.