Most Hated

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12

Jay Gould was once considered the most hated man in America. In his attempt to corner the gold market, Jay Gould bribed treasury officials and the brother of the president of the United States. He engineered what was known as the “Black Friday” [September 24, 1869] scandal that forced thousands of gold speculators into bankruptcy while enriching his pockets and those of a handful of co-conspirators. His success lay in his ability to manipulate men, media and the courts to achieve complete control of a company. Once he owned the company he would systematically strip it of all its assets and leave it gutted and bankrupt.

As Christians, we need to rise above this kind of moral morass and become examples of integrity, honesty and fairness in our dealings with people. In spite of these godly traits, there will be times when we will experience the world’s hatred and suffer wrongly at its hand. The Apostle Peter tells us, “…it is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God [1 Peter 2:19, 20]

When we live godly lives and suffer at the hands of ungodly men we should consider it a badge of honor. The hatred Jay Gould experience was a badge of shame that he rightly earned. We have too choices. We can live like the Jay Goulds of this world or choose to walk with integrity and honesty in footsteps of our Savior. Which pathway are you following today?