Recall from the Holy Scriptures how Jesus was frequently despised, resented, rejected, betrayed, and abandoned…all because He lived the will of the Father in going about doing good.
No doubt, this was a part of what Jesus had to pray through about in the Garden of Gethsemane…praying through over Judas betraying him…and being abandoned by those closest to Him…and being rejected and crucified by the people he loved and wanted to fellowship with the most.
Of course, we know that in the end it did not go well for those who rejected and betrayed Jesus…but still, that did not make it any easier for Him while He was being rejected and betrayed.
In the same vein…sooner or later…for those of us who truly believe on the Lord and place our faith, confidence, loyalty, and obedience in him…there will be people who despise, resent, reject, abandon, and betray us…all because they do not like the fact that we are striving to live our life in a way that is pleasing unto God…and we are striving to accomplish good works for the Lord.
But, in the end, it will be well with the righteous…and it will be ill for those who have rejected us…because they are really rejecting Christ in us.
Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. — Isaiah 3:10-11
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. — Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. — Luke 10:16
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. — 1 Thessalonians 4:8
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be…despisers of those that are good” — 2 Timothy 3:1,2,3
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. — Philippians 1:29
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12
Brother and Sister in Christ, as the following scripture states, there WILL come a time when it matters a LOT that you have loved, honored, and served God:
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. — Malachi 3:18
But until this time comes, remain steadfast and unmoved in the Lord no matter what…even when you are despised, resented, rejected, betrayed or abandoned.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. — 1 Corinthians 15:58