I can understand your frustration.  It is so normal to expect positive things to happen to you when you try to show Christian love and compassion on others.  Surely people should respect your efforts and appreciate what you have done for them.  However, the life of a believer can often be just the opposite.

First, let us consider how the people treated the Lord Jesus when He was on the earth trying to minister to and benefit all mankind.  The Lord spent His time trying to tell others of their need of salvation.  He showed how that we are all sinners and deserve Hell, but He had come to save them from Hell.  The Lord said in John 15:22-25, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.”  The Lord showed love to others, and for no reason of His own, the people hated Him.  In these verses, the Lord was showing that it was prophesied that the general population would hate Him, even though He came to bless them.  We read in Psalm 69:4, “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”  How sad that so many rejected the Lord and His offer of eternal life.  How sad that He received hatred for His love.

The Lord warned His disciples earlier in John 15:20-21, “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.”  They persecuted our Lord terribly, and if we live faithfully for Him, they will persecute us as well.  2 Timothy 3:12 tells us, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”  The more familiar we become with our Bible, the more we will realize that we will suffer for Christ in this life. 

In fact, it is a privilege given to believers to suffer for Christ’s sake.  We read in Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”  It is an honor to suffer for Christ’s sake.  When we seek to help others as the Lord leads us, people will often respond with hatred, rejection, and ridicule.  Yet the Lord instructs us, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:20).  Often, the showing of God’s love will prick someone’s conscience and may lead them to believing on the Lord Jesus.  Isn’t it worth it to suffer a little if that eventually leads someone to salvation? 

Let me encourage you to continue to try to minister to others regardless of the outcome.  We read in Galatians 6:9-10, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  Don’t give up!  No matter how we are treated, we should continue to show the love of Christ to everyone.  Your efforts may be what the Lord uses to win them to Christ.

Let me close with this old, familiar saying which addresses your experiences:

  • People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

  • If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

  • If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

  • The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Be good anyway.

  • Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

  • What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

  • People need help but may attack you if you try to help them.

Help them anyway.

  • In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.  (CC)  (537.6)