“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” - John 17:14
We have many problems in our nation today. Among these problems, a lack of civility and common sense exists. While some advocate social justice, they sometimes do so in violation of the very justice they claim to pursue. While peaceful protests are protected by our constitution, riots are not.
Fueling much of the social anger and hatred are talk-show hosts and news commentators. While these individuals refuse to accept responsibility for their involvement in our nation's hostility, their dialogue and tone indicate otherwise.
Christians have become targets of hatred. Most believers seek to live quiet lives, making positive contributions to society through their hard work and charity. It is true that there is always a group of professing believers who seem to be very arrogant and abrasive, but they tend to be in the minority.
There are some who think that all Christians are hypocrites. This false narrative fuels their hatred. While hypocrites do exist, the fact is that most Christians are imperfect people who seek to serve a perfect God.
Christianity spreads a message of life, hope and love. Yet Christians are slaughtered in other nations. Even here in America, there is a faction of our population who despise Christianity and Christians.
Why is there so much hatred towards Christians?
When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Jesus specifies that the world hated the original disciples. That was the case for them and it is still the case for us.
One reason that the world hates Christians is because we are different from unbelievers. As Jesus put it in John 17:14, “... the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” We are different from unbelievers. They are offended by the difference they see.
Secondly, many hate Christians because we stand for the truth of God's Word. The very message we love and hold dear is the same word that condemns them. The Bible says that those who walk in darkness hate the light because the light will reveal their evil deeds. The Bible's message is one that condemns them. It is interesting that unbelievers expect Christians to live by the Bible, yet they have no intention of living by it themselves. The very Bible they expect us to live by has a message they reject and hate. When we claim to believe the Bible's message, we often receive vicious verbal attacks from the very ones who will also criticize us if we fail to obey the Bible's teachings. We are hated because of the message we've embraced and try to share openly.
Next, the world hates Christians because they hate Christ. There are many who hate President Trump, yet many more hate Jesus Christ. I still believe that Jesus is the most hated person in the world. They hate His teachings. They hate His claim to be God. They hate His demands to repent. They refuse to bow to a God who makes demands of them. They want to command Him. They want Him to be like a divine butler, always nearby to heed to their beckoning call. If they hate Jesus, they will hate the ones who follow Him. While this bothers many well-meaning Christians, we should find comfort in the fact that if we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. We are in good company if we are rejected, hated and persecuted along with Jesus.
Christians are called to love others. It is true that we cannot condone the actions of many, but we are still called to care for them. We may not agree with the language others use, but we are still expected to speak to them lovingly. We may hate the immoral lifestyle of our neighbors and friends, but we still should care for them. We are called to love our enemies. The very ones who seek our harm and downfall are people with eternal souls. The Bible teaches us not to enact revenge on such people. We should never retaliate against others with hostility or anger. Instead, we are called to love our enemies, pray for them and do good to them. We are called to be different than this unbelieving world.
Yes, many hate holy things. Some see in us what they secretly desire, but refuse to admit. Our lives testify of God's goodness and grace. These are things they trample under their feet.
Perhaps someone close to you hates you and your faith. It could be a co-worker, a family member or an old classmate. Never give up praying for them. Keep in mind that Saul of Tarsus once hated Jesus, Christians and the Church. He zealously sought the utter destruction of all Christians. Yet he ultimately became an outspoken, fully-devoted follower of Jesus. His hatred to turned to love. Paul's zeal for persecution was transformed into a zeal for righteousness.
Never give up doing right and standing for what is right.
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