We will farther quote the language of the Savior: “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 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. When pretended worshipers of God are free from persecutions for Christ’s sake it is because they are worshipers in form only, but in spirit they are worldly. In truth these people are usually foremost in persecuting the true children of God. Jesus was persecuted and hated by the very pretentious Pharisees and Sadducees. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11. Those who professed to be children of Abraham sought to take the Savior’s life. John 8:39, 40. Because Jesus by a pure, holy life rebuked sin, because he in burning words of Heaven’s glorious truth exposed the hypocrisy of the proud Jews, because he told them of their sins, they gnashed upon him with their teeth; they told him he had a devil; they spit upon him; they smote him; they mocked him; they placed a crown of thorns upon his brow, and were the instigators of his death. Jesus says to his own beloved followers: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20. “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” Mat. 10:25. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Luke 21:17. Those who live like Jesus, those who will boldly declare the truth of the gospel, and rebuke sin and hypocrisy, they shall receive persecutions from wicked men, and cold, proud-hearted professors, as did the Savior. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12. Christians must suffer the taunts of a sinful world, but they “rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.” 1 Pet. 4:13, 14. “Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:22, 23.