If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don't belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and this is why its people hate you. Remember how I told you that servants are not greater than their master. So if people mistreat me, they will mistreat you. If they do what I say, they will do what you say.
People will do to you exactly what they did to me. They will do it because you belong to me, and they don't know the one who sent me.
John 15:18-21
Some churches hope to bring the community around them to Jesus by being nice and winning their approval. Perhaps that is the way to grow a social, service club, but it will never work with Jesus.
True believers do not commit their lives to Jesus and proclaim that they are ready and willing to give up their lives for Him because your church is nice! I once heard a compelling message about a false teaching called "The Gospel of Nice." The problem with believing Christians must always be seen as nice is this: If you live in full obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ and walk according to the Spirit's lead, the world around you will be convicted of their own sin and will not think you are nice!
The world's response to you will be the same as it was to Jesus. They may praise you for a moment, but then you will hear them shouting "Crucify him." Remember that following in the steps of Jesus always leads you to the Cross. Even as Jesus, when He was lifted up on the Cross drew all men to Himself, it is when you are crucified with Christ that you will find the lost are coming to Jesus because of you.
Instead of trying to find some new method of evangelism, look for your cross and in faith embrace it. On your cross the life of this world is drained out of your body as you step in to the power of your new life in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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