“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you”
John 15:18-19
Most people endure life, go through hardships and torture just to extend their stay here on earth. These people find their life here on earth so precious that they are willing to sacrifice pain and suffering as long as in the end, they get to live. This shows that they can't deny life and all it offers because these are all they have and they know deep inside their hearts that they cant take these things with them when they depart this world. Death for them means separation from all the things that matter. They belong to the world and the world in return love them as its own. I learned that this mindset is totally opposite to what Christians believe and should live. We've been chosen out of the world and we do not belong to it so it is not surprising when the world is hostile to us.
As a follower of Christ, I must live my life here on earth experiencing every moment with Him. But sin has a way of distracting and tempting me away from Him that's why when I think of death, it becomes joy and relief because then I will be with Him enjoying His presence, finally free from all interruptions. Death is not separation from everything that matters. Death is the final vehicle that would bring Christians to what matters the most – Christ.
This confidence is what Ignatius and Polycarp were holding on to when they were asked to deny Christ and refused to do so. They chose death instead because they knew that beyond that is their reward. They knew with confidence that the torture will only last for an hour or two, but joy in the glory of Christ will be enjoyed throughout eternity. I am challenged to have the same kind of confidence in my faith when facing death.
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