Following Jesus can be very lonely sometimes. His moral standards and attitudes toward people are so different that the more we obey Him the more we find ourselves at odds with our culture. Awkward moments increase when we have to say "no" to something or "yes" to something others think is crazy. People view us with suspicion and wonder If we've taken this religious thing too far. Some friends stop socializing with us, employers may look for an opportunity to fire us or at least pass us by for a promotion. Teachers may drop our grades because they don't like what we write. Even family may act strangely around us. What was once a close relationship may grow strained and awkward.

Jesus, of course, said all of this would happen. He said the world doesn't like Him, so if we follow Him, it won't like us either (Jn 15:18,19; Mt 10:34-37). But when that process actually starts, it still comes as a shock. Surely our family and friends will see the good things God is doing in our lives. Surely in the bottom of their heart they know His ways are right. Surely when they hear our story they too will believe. And thankfully, some do, but others don't, at least for a long time. Even religious people, those who call themselves Christians, may grow angry and push us away. It seems the gospel, the real one that is, tests the human heart separating those who believe from those who don't. There have been seasons in history and places on earth when large numbers have believed. But at other places and times, those numbers grow small... and those faithful few can feel very much alone. The Bible has a name for these. It calls them "the remnant."

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