Being Hated

Matthew 10:22 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."

Knowing that you are actively hated can be a frightening thought - especially if those who hate you can also hurt you. Hate can also be incredibly painful when it comes from family members or those who have been close to you. However, followers of Jesus should not be surprised by hate, nor should they fear it.

In Matthew 10:16-22, Jesus warns his twelve closest disciples of the cost of following him: "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves. Be on guard against men [whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God]; for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their synagogues, And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to bear testimony before them and to the Gentiles (the nations).

But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to say will be given you in that very hour and moment, For it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and will have them put to death.

And you will be hated by all for My name's sake, but he who perseveres and endures to the end will be saved from spiritual disease and death in the world to come]."

Notice that Jesus said not to be anxious. And, why could he say this? Because the world does not have the power to hurt his believers. Our earthly physical bodies will be shed when we die anyway - to be replaced by with new ones. Our duration after death is eternal, our duration on earth is very short.

While Jesus warned his twelve disciples - and therefore, all of his followers (even to this day) - he also promised a life of fullness and abundance. In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."

Believers live in this strange position of being hated and persecuted but also having a life full of abundance. 1 Peter 5:8 says "...your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." But verse 9 continues, "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."

Christian persecution certainly exists in America - often in the form of "Christians" who disagree with other Christians' faith and practice. How tragic this is considering that this country was founded to guarantee freedom of religion. Persecution is not, however, surprising. Jesus guaranteed that his followers would experience persecution. And, Jesus' promises never fail even when governments' promises do.

The one thing that Jesus' followers can not do is to hate back or to nurture hate for their oppressors. If they did so, then the thief/the devil/the roaring lion would win. Jesus said that hating someone in your heart is the same as murder. Hatred and fear are sin. Sin separates us from the goodness and abundance of God.

Therefore, "Fear not! If God be for us, who can be against us?" Or as young David put it, "Who is this uncircumsized Philistine!" Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Believers will be hated, but don't need to hate back because they experience such great love from their merciful, just, loving and patient God. Endure!

Love

My husband and I know a man from India named "Prem" which means love. God loves Prem passionately - as he does all the people of India, which I like being reminded of periodically. In his usual friendly fashion, my husband befriended that man Prem. As a result, we were privileged to meet a wonderful group of people from India. This is just one aspect of my husband's personality that I appreciate. He tends to see something good in almost everyone he meets because he sees them as God's children - and they tend to love him back.

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday. And, although this has been a terrifically challenging year for us, I am actually grateful to people who have been directly responsible for some of those challenges placed before us. I am grateful because what is absolutely important to Dave and me has been clarified: loving each other, serving God and rejoicing in all the good He has done in our lives. And we have had incredible opportunities to minister love, compassion and hope to others who are experiencing difficulties as well.

God is the absolute essence and power of love. And we rejoice knowing that we will be privileged to spend eternity with Him. We know this with certainty! We know it deep inside! We are saved through grace by faith, and definitely not based on our own works. And, despite all our failings, nothing shall separate us from the love of God. I love the Apostle Paul's eloquent chapter in Romans:
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written,
"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Because of this assurance, I can say that my husband will have the happiest birthday ever and we look forward with confidence to the future because God's plans for us are good. "The Lord delights in the prosperity of his servant."