Christians throughout the centuries, have been persecuted, rejected, and martyred for their faith. Why does the world seem to hate us so much? Paul Nyquist in his book Prepare: Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture lists 3 reasons. And while we can’t avoid these truths, there is an important word of caution we need to consider.
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 11 & 12
Psalm 106.6-18
Proverbs 25.3-5
2 Corinthians 2.1-17
3 Reasons the World Hates Christians
2 Corinthians 2.1-17:
Why the World Hates Us
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life (vv. 14-16a).
As Christians, we represent Christ to a dying world. For those who respond to the Gospel in saving faith leading to a changed life, we are “the aroma of life leading to [eternal] life” (emphasis added). But to those who reject Christ, we are the “aroma of death” because instead of responding to the truth and light we offer with repentance, they respond in rejection and anger.
This should help us understand why even those we care about can become so hostile when we commit our lives to Christ and begin to share what He’s doing in us.
Nothing New
In fact, Christians, throughout the centuries, have been persecuted, rejected, and martyred for their faith. As Americans, we have been somewhat insulated from that truth, but as I discussed yesterday, the culture we live in is changing rapidly. More and more believers are experiencing job losses, harassment, and persecution. Some have even been charged, fined, and threatened with the loss of their businesses for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Paul Nyquist in his book Prepare: Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture says:
One of the more difficult truths for us to grasp is that the world hates us. The world doesn’t tolerate us— even though toleration is a supposed value of our society. It doesn’t like us. No, it hates us. Jesus makes this plain in John 15:18– 27.
Nyquist goes on to say:
As relational creatures, that truth can gnaw at us. We crave acceptance. We long to be loved. We desire to be esteemed, valued, and respected. We can yearn for those things from the world. But Jesus says that acceptance will never happen. The world doesn’t love us. The world doesn’t even like us. The world hates us.
3 Reasons Why
Jesus lists three reasons the world hates us in John 15. Nyquist explains them this way:
The first reason the world hates us is because we’re different. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn. 15.19) … if we don’t conform to the world, the world holds zero tolerance for us.
The second reason the world hates us is because we bear Christ’s name and identify with Him. Jesus says in John 15:20-21, ‘Remember the word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.’
The third reason the world hates us is because Christ in us exposes their sin … the world hates that. They hate having their sin exposed, so they hate us.
So, the 3 reasons unbelievers hate us is because we’re different from them, we are identified with Christ, and because Christ in us exposes their sin. We cannot avoid those truths.
Our responsibility is to be prepared for it when it comes and to respond to it in a Christlike way. To read more about how to be prepared, see yesterday’s post, “Are You Prepared for Persecution?”
But a word of caution …
A Word of Caution
We, however, should never allow these things to make us self-righteous or unloving in our attitudes toward unbelievers or even our less mature brothers and sisters in Christ. If we do, the world will see us as hypocrites rather than those who are like Christ. If we’re to suffer, let’s make sure we suffer for doing right and not for doing wrong.
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil (1 Pet. 3.13-17).
Today’s Other Readings:
Isaiah 11 & 12:
For He Has Done Excellent Things!
These chapters change from primarily a prophecy about God’s dealings with His people in the immediate future to the fulfillment of His promises to bring ultimate salvation and peace through the work of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 12 includes this beautiful hymn of praise:
1 And in that day you will say.
‘O LORD, I will praise You;
Though You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;“For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.”‘
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.4 And in that day you will say.
‘Praise the LORD, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
5 Sing to the LORD,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!’
Once we were sinners, separated from God, objects of wrath because of our sin and rebellion. But when we called upon His name, He answered, saved us, forgave us, cleansed us, and brought us into His family! We, too, should “sing to the Lord for He has done excellent things”!
And yet …
Psalm 106.6-18:
They Quickly Forgot His Works
And yet … we can be like the ancient Israelites. Verse 13 says, “They quickly forgot His works.” What a sad statement.
Let’s not forget all the great things God has done for us: the bondage from which He saved us, the miracles He performs, and the love, mercy, and grace He has shown to us and continues to show us. Let’s remember how great a salvation we really have and how He saved us when we were helpless to save ourselves!
Proverbs 25.3-5:
Wisdom for Parents & Others
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (v. 5).
In order for men to rule or lead righteously, they must seek godly counsel. This doesn’t just apply to political or church leaders. It also applies to moms and dads, husbands, older sisters and brothers, friends, employers, ministry leaders, and others. We should never be so proud as to think that we have all the answers. Instead, we need to be growing and seeking wise counsel throughout our lives.
What About You?
Have you experienced persecution and animosity from family, friends, co-workers, or others? How did you respond? How are you preparing yourself to respond in the future? I hope you’ll share your thoughts in the comments area at the bottom of this post.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we will talk about how we justify not obeying God’s Word, the importance of good doctrine, presumptuous sins, how our whining keeps us from shining God’s light into a dark world, and how delayed obedience = disobedience.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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