Are You Hated Like Jesus is Hated? - The Crosswalk Devotional- June 5

Are You Hated Like Jesus Is Hated?
By Lynette Kittle

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first” - John 15:18

Do you feel like everyone loves you? Is that how you sincerely believe Christians are to live on Earth? Scriptures such as Romans 12:18 seem to tell us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Also, does it seem unwise to you to tell people what the Bible says about how they live because you feel it will push them away from God? And maybe push them away from you, too? Do you look at other believers who speak God’s truth concerning sinful activities and attitudes as trouble-makers?

Although no one wants others to hate them, if no one hates us, maybe we need to look at how we live our lives. If we live for God, Proverbs 29:27 assures us, “The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.” 1 John 2:15 explains, too, how if living in the world isn’t causing discomfort and looking at us with disdain, we might love it more than God.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”

Jesus Told Us So
Although some don’t understand the hatred when it comes, Jesus warned us, “Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13). Yet, some believers try to lay low by not speaking God’s truth in situations because they don’t think it’s the Christian thing to do, or it might not go over well and offend or anger someone else. But when we look at how Jesus walked on Earth, He told the truth, and yes, it upset people. It did cause some to hate Him. Matthew 10:22 reveals the rewards for all willing to endure being hated for Jesus’ sake.

“You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

God’s Clear Warning
In our lives, are we asking ourselves how, in today’s age, if we truly follow God, how could we possibly not be hated? Isaiah 5:20 warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Whether we like it or not, evil being called good and good being called evil has flooded our secular world, seeping into many Christian churches, schools, and organizations. If we truly believe God’s word is true in the Bible, we cannot escape drawing lines in the sand that we will not cross. And when we do, again, like Matthew 10:22 explains, when we stand firm, we will be saved. We also want to remember that although others seem to hate us, it’s God they hate. The rejection is real, but in truth, it’s God they are really rejecting. John 15:23 explains,

“Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you willing to be hated because you love God? If not, ask Him to examine you and reveal where your heart truly lies, with the world or God. If with the world, ask God to show you areas where you are tied to it and need to be freed from its hold in your life.

Further Reading:
Does the World Hate You?

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.