"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." The followers of Christ must not be surprised if they are not recognized by the world. As the world discerned not Christ, as it refused to acknowledge his divinity and sonship, so it will slight and neglect his followers. "The world knoweth us not," writes John, "because it knew him not." But this should not be a source of discouragement and trial. "Know ye not," asks James, "that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
We are living in the great day of intercession, the day of atonement, and to each one comes the word of warning, "Keep thyself unspotted from the world." You cannot with safety join hands with the world. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father; but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." Better than all the friendship of the world is the friendship of Jesus Christ. Better than a title to the noblest palace on the earth is a title to the mansions which Christ has gone to prepare. And better than all the words of earthly praise, will be the words of Jesus to his faithful servants, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ST, December 17, 1896 par. 14-15
The Saviour's joy is in seeing, in the kingdom of glory, the souls that have been saved by His agony and humiliation. Hvn 84
"No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches. Matthew 6:24 (New Century Version)