“No longer do I call you servants...but I have called you friends.” - John 15:15

I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you. Which would you prefer? Since I don’t have time to wait for your response, I’ll just start with the good news.

If you are a follower of Christ, then you are richly blessed. Like the illustration of the vine and the branches, our relationship with Jesus supplies us with everything we need. It can be painful, God has some pruning to do, but it is always good.

By abiding in Jesus we are able to share in His joy and His relationships. As joint heirs with Christ, we are made Children of God. Not only are we reunited with our heavenly Father, but we are joined with our brothers and sisters in Christ, whom we are called to love.

Now, here’s the bad news. You’re also going to be hated. God’s enemies will become our enemies. The world is not tolerant of our faith. They have rejected Jesus and they will reject us. Just remember that we were also lost before we came to Christ. We were once enemies of God, but it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.

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Adam Miller is the president and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church. This article is a condensed version of one of his sermons.