Christians Cannot Avoid Being Hated

In a world filled with hatred, we cannot avoid being hated.  ^“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).

 

The world, by nature is a rather hateful place, despite all the goodness we sometimes see: “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

 

^“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

 

 

There’s also a special form of hatred especially designed for Christians: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22).

 

 

I’m rather fond of peace but it’s not always available. We can’t avoid being hated sometimes.

 

 

But when you are hated, let it not be for your arrogance, your indifference, your greed, your boasting, your pride, your selfishness, your rudeness, your lying, your insults. 

 

If you are hated, let it be for your kindness.

Your dignity.

Your purity.

Your patience.

Your humility.

Your integrity.

Your honesty.

Your restraint. 

 

You can’t please everybody. When you displease people, let not be because of your rudeness, your crudeness, your carelessness, your selfishness, or your harshness. Let it be because you are not like the world. 

 

People will sometimes be offended by what you say. When they are offended let it not be because of your coldness, your pushiness, your critical spirit, or your offensiveness. Let it be because of their coldness, their pushiness, their critical spirit, and their offensiveness. 

 

Everyone won’t love you. But when people don’t love you, let it not be because you are unlovely and unlovable. Let it be because they are not loving. 

 

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

 

 

We can’t avoid being hated. But we can choose what we are hated for.