“If the world hate you,” said Christ, “ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18. You have entertained the opinion that the reason why the world is so much opposed to us as a people is that we are too unsocial, too plain in our dress, and too strict in regard to amusements, withdrawing ourselves from them too much in practice as well as in precept. You have thought that if we would be less exclusive and would mingle more with the world, their opinions and impressions of us would be greatly modified. But no greater mistake could affect the human mind. Said Christ: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.” John 15:19-21. (5T 433.1) MC VC

These are the words of One of whom even His enemies were forced to admit: “Never man spake like this Man.” John 7:46. The words of men express their own human thoughts; but those of Christ are spirit and life. “If ye continue in My word,” He says, “then are ye My disciples indeed.” John 8:31. “He that is of God heareth God’s words,”(John 8:47) but these divine utterances find no place in the heart of one who is of the world and loves its pleasures. (5T 433.2) MC VC