And Ye Shall Be Hated

Jesus made it very clear that all believers will be hated because of Him.  Believers and those who have followed the Lord have been hated since the Judges and the Prophets in Old Testament times and even more so since Jesus stepped on the scene in the New Testament and called the disciples and started His ministry.  This isn’t some new phenomenon; it has been taking place for many, many years so when it happens why are we surprised?

Jesus said this in Mark 13:13, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

Jesus said this in John 15:18-25, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 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 keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”

Jesus also said this in Matthew 10:16-22, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

In Luke 21:17 Jesus said this, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.”

Jesus faced extreme suffering to buy our pardon during His short ministry as He walked faithfully doing the things His Father sent Him to do.  Although His ministry was full of love, mercy and grace, there were many that rejected Him and despitefully used Him and many of those that hated Him were the very ones that He came to save.  I think in many parts of the United States, believers think because they are following Jesus and are still living under the banner of freedom they won’t be persecuted but that they will somehow be protected from it.  I think there is only one way to be protected from persecution and that is if you act like an undercover Christian.

Think about the disciples and Paul, or read the faith chapter in Hebrews 11, most of them suffered for their testimony, some very extremely but most stayed faithful to the Lord until the end.  Think about Paul, his daily walk was marked by persecution; in fact, he said if anyone lived a godly life they would be persecuted.  This seemed to be so common to him that he may have been shocked if it didn’t happen for a while.

This isn’t a popular message but it is something we all need to be reminded of every now and then, something you don’t hear many messages on.  I believe we are living in the last days and believer’s rights are being violated more and more, even the rights of freedom of speech are in jeopardy and the public display of the Ten Commandments and the Constitution being upheld.  I know I have written on this subject before but it helps to bring things back to the forefront of our minds.  Case in point, I heard something the other day that was very timely, not something I didn’t know about and couldn’t recite some of it from memory but it hadn’t come to my mind for a while, but just when I needed to hear it, the Lord brought it back to my mind again.  So maybe the Lord will use this message for someone else in sort of the same way, I hope so.

And while I am on this subject, please remember to pray for all the believers that are being persecuted around the world for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  You may not believe this but persecution shows people how committed they really are to their Savior and Lord.  It is possible that some may never suffer for their faith, the thief that went to paradise with Jesus didn’t, but if you are counted worthy to suffer for the Lord He will give you whatever is needed to endure it, the main thing is to be prepared.  Something to think about!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!  PS don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!