True Christians live at the junction of two realities.  They are, at the same time, passionately loved by God (2 Thessalonians 2:16), and either hated or considered irrelevant by the world (John 15:19).  The love of God gives the believer an intense awareness of being known by our Creator, Redeemer, Saviour and Friend.  But the world has no interest in our relationship with God, except to mock and ridicule.  That is because they do not know Him and have not received His love.

Nobody likes to be ignored or laughed at: naturally we all seek acceptance, and we hate rejection.  And that is how the world seeks to prise us away from our Lord.  The more they reject us, the more we crave their affirmation and will go outside the safety of our spiritual home to secure it.  The world will help us down that track: ‘Don’t completely trust Jesus, don’t get bogged down by fellowship or ministry, free yourself from spiritual disciplines, and you can be free to be yourself’.  These are lies, of course, but attractive enough to seduce millions of un-discipled believers.

By contrast, see the extent of Father God's love.  He has poured so much love upon each child of His (Romans 5:5).  That love has taken God the Son from heaven to earth, from life to death … so that we might be forgiven, accepted by God, appointed as children of the King, given eternal life, filled with the Holy Spirit, welcomed into His family, given a purpose in life and a hope in death … and all the time knowing that every divine command comes to build us up in love, every circumstance is filled with love, and all the time we are held in His love.  We are the children of God when we receive His love in Christ Jesus (1 John 3:16).

Many seek love outside of God's plan and are disappointed.  Those who revel in His love are satisfied because He will always give just what is right and necessary to every one of His children: not to indulge the child but to equip the child to relate and work well in God's family.  Do not be disturbed if the world discounts you; God loves you.  Do not get lured by lies of being accepted, because your Heavenly Father already accepts you.  Rejoice in your privileged position and trust Him to keep on providing everything you need according to His love and infinite resources (Ephesians 3:20).