If you follow Jesus with any consistency in this life, you’re going to find yourself as a cultural outsider. There’s no way around it. Our values are different. Our morals are different. Even our goals in life are different. We are not of this world, and we do not live like we are of this world (John 17:14-16). The very act of following Jesus Christ puts you on the outside, looking in on the rest of the world. You’ll be weird.
The people of this world will hate, despise, and maybe even kill you. For certain, they will never understand you. Jesus lived on the outside too and he promised we would face trouble (John 16:33). He told us in advance that the world would hate us because it hated him (John 15:18-19). Authentic followers of Jesus will never be on the inside of the coolest and most popular circles. They will always be outsiders.
The more we look like Jesus, the more the world is going to hate us. So, let’s put any illusion or hope of an easy life out of our heads. Anyone who tells you following Jesus will lead to a life of ease, health, wealth, or happiness, is lying to you. There is no basis for that in scripture, so don’t buy into those lies. It is far more likely following Jesus will bring the opposite of all those things. That’s not because Jesus is cruel, but because Satan, the ruler of this world, will do everything he can to make you suffer (1 Peter 5:8). But for those who endure to the end, life as we have never known it awaits (James 1:12; Matthew 24:13; Revelation 3:21). For now, we must learn how to live as outsiders as we eagerly anticipate the coming glory of our King (Romans 8:18).
If your personality is anything like mine, the idea of being an outsider has a certain appeal. But I assure you, any romantic notions like that wear off quickly when reality strikes. The depravity and cruelty of the devil know no bounds (Ephesians 6:12). There is no telling what we may have to endure as followers of Jesus. Men and women all over the world already live in the horror of the consequences of standing firm in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The details are too horrific for me to write, as I recognize they can be too much for some to read. I make a habit of reading their stories because it strengthens my faith to read of such heroes of the faith exhibiting such courage in the face afflictions we can scarcely imagine (Hebrews 11:35-38).
I don’t write any of this to frighten or discourage you. Rather, be encouraged that no matter what comes your way, Jesus has overcome it. Nothing can separate us from the love of our great King (Romans 8:35-37). Everything man intends for evil, Jesus works out for ultimate good in His sovereign plan (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). In this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). But all that trouble is such a small thing to bear when we compare it to what awaits us in eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17). While we are outsiders for a little while, we will forever dwell inside the Kingdom of God (Philippians 3:19-21). We will spend eternity wrapped inside His arms of love (Revelation 21:3-4). No matter what you are facing today, be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9). Our God has overcome the world (John 16:33)!