“…the world hateth you.”  (John 15)

 

If we were honest with ourselves could we really say, we have been hated by the world? Does this mean we aren’t really saved or we are nothing like Christ? “I don’t think so, Tim.” According to John and his (1st) first epistle, I am saved. So how does all of this fit together?

We would argue that the world does hate us, that the world does, in fact, hate you, my Christ-ian reader. We will prove this with (3) three T’s. These (3) three T’s are Text, Truth, and Time.

Text: We can be certain the world hates us because our text tells us so or in other words, Christ told us so. Christ-ians believe Scripture to be Holy Spirit inspired. Christ-ians further believe that God used holy men to write down His Words. In terms of logic, a wicked man would not condemn himself as the Scriptures plainly do and a Holy man would not lie, therefore Scripture is penned by holy men but authored by God.

Another point to prove the text to be worthy of one’s trust, is prophecy. The Old Testament and the New Testament is replete with prophecies and prophecies fulfilled. Also, even contemporary history has seen prophecy fulfilled.

Another point to prove Scripture is trustworthy, Lives that have been changed. To accept that as a point, one must know that persons do not change. A person may curb who they are, a person may hide who they are, but a person never changes and I think everyone knows that. Persons DO NOT EVER CHANGE, until they do. If persons do not change unless they do, what can be the cause? If persons never change unless they do, there must be a cause, right? That Cause is the Cause of all things….That Cause is God.

Another point that proves Scripture to be trustworthy is the amount of blood that has been shed, the amount of flesh that has been burned, the number of heads that have been cut off. But we’ll get back to that later (DV)

Truth: The true definition of hate will demonstrate the world’s hatred for the Christ-ian. While there is plenty emotion based hatred in the Bible and in this world, we will argue that this is not what our Lord is talking about yet. Before we define hate, let us define Biblical love. This definition is found at the end of Matthew (5) five. With this definition we see that emotional love is not meant. Christ defines Christ-ian love and Biblical love as blessing them that curse you, doing good to them that hate you, and praying for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

With love being defined that way, hate could be defined this way, hate is cursing you, doing things that are not good for you or to you, being indifferent to you, and finally persecuting you. But I’m not sure that is is the definition either. Though it can be said that anyone that does this to a Christ-ian or anyone else hates them.

In the epistles, it is written that we should live lives that are above reproach, that are blameless, that men must speak well of…even if they do not want to.

So what is the definition of hate that fits with your life? Me thinks this is the definition. This world that lies in wickedness, this world that is presently evil, this world that serves the purposes of the god of this world, (s)atan, will oppose your life of faith and purity at every turn. This world will not be an easy world to live in as a Christ-ian. You may not be hated by every person in this world but every person will oppose your Christ-ian world view, else they would be Christ-ian as well.

Time: In time however, as it is in the Middle East, the world’s hatred will involve persecution and emotional hate. This world’s indifference will turn to feelings of hate. This world’s opposition to our ways will become opposed to our very lives. Brothers and Sisters, as I have said before, look at the persecution of our Christ-ian family in the Middle East. Put yourself in their shoes and then pray with fervency for them.

It might sound rather negative to speak of such hate, especially if you are to focus of hate, whether it be indifference, opposition, or persecution.

O’ Cheer up my beloved, If the world hate you, know this, it hated Him (1st) first. If the world hate you, it must see some of Christ in you and that is never a negative but always and only a positive, “Marvel not if the world hate you, it hated [M]e first.”

Be of good cheer, beloved, it is good to be hated by those that are (s)atan’s offspring.

James says, if you are on friendly terms with the world, you are God’s enemy.

John says, “Love not the world.”

Peter says, everything in the world and of the world will be burned with fervent heat.

My Beloved Reader,
To be hated of the world is to be loved by Christ. To be loved by Christ is to be hated of the world.

Godspeed.