If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:19
Quite possibly the most controversial message Jesus might teach, were He alive today, is quoted above. The world wants everyone to feel included, to belong, to be apart… at least on its own terms. Messages of peace, prosperity, hope, etc. abound but lack the backing of a supernatural, eternal God. God’s message is quite different: you are in enemy territory, and you are not wanted there.
How differently might we live were we to really believe this message? Would we live as we do today, almost like everyone else around us, just slightly more spiritual or pious? Or would “the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” because he knew “he was numbered with the transgressors” (Luke 22:36-37)?
Aside: Some may find amusing the fact that the next verse quotes the disciples saying they have two swords among them and I have that number as well, among several practice swords. I don’t think Jesus’ words here are literal, though; rather that we should have a war-time mentality towards our use of resources. 
I know I’ve already asked several questions, but they all really lead to this one: What would the world look like if all the Christians lived on mission? What would happen if we really lived what the Bible teaches? Maybe we do, and I’m just missing it? I don’t think I am; I think we, as a whole, are not living as we have been taught. So what’s it going to take? Natural disasters? Economic disasters? Persecution? All these except persecution have happened. This same pattern is found throughout the old testament, as well. If it takes persecution, it’s coming. If our lifestyles have been an attempt at holding back the floodgates of persecution, we might as well give up now. It’s coming, and we might as well start living as we should have been all along. “All to Jesus, I surrender all….”
