Are You Hated? (1 John 3:13)

Today's scripture: 1 John 3:13

Does the world hate you? Does it see something in you that is abhorrent? Or something that convicts? Or do they see you as just another person?

Sometimes I think we’ve become so like the world in our actions and words that they don’t see anything to hate. Or if they do hate us, it’s because we’ve been like the Pharisees of old as we speak one thing and do something else. For example, do they hear us saying how we love our neighbor, and then watch us wrathfully condemn those we don’t like—or understand—to hell?

Are we, as they say, talking the talk but not walking the walk? 

The world shouldn’t hate us because of our soapbox tirades. The world should hate us because we are so kind and loving and gracious and merciful that their hearts are pierced by reluctant admiration for how we love and serve. The world should hate us because we love our enemy just as we love our neighbor.

The world should hate us because we live like Christ, because we turn the other cheek. We forgive. We heap coals of fire rather than words of derision (Romans12:20). We acknowledge our weaknesses and know, if not for God’s grace, we too would be lost.

Does the world hate you? And if so, for the right reasons? If it does, then rejoice! For you’re becoming more and more like Christ! And your reward is in heaven. Not in this temporary life.