“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”
1 John.3.13
Discussion
Dear brethren, marvel not if the world hates you. The system of this world is antithesis to the ways of God. The system of this world is built on three things; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 1John.2.15-16; "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." That is; strong desire to have what you feel, strong desire to get what you see, and strong desire to be better than others in achievements and possessions. It's a system of carnal pursuits and vanities upon vanities. This system turns against any sign of righteousness. This is why anyone who truly loves God and lives righteously will be hated by the world. John.15.18-19; "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Many believers try to be loved by all. Truly, no one ordinarily loves to be hated, so we try to do as much as possible to be loved and accepted by the world. We must correct this now! There's no value in being loved by those who hate Jesus. If they hate Jesus, they'll hate you too.
You are his express image in all things. Be comfortable with being hated for Christ's sake. Be glad when you're mistreated because of your righteous stand. Now, be careful not to have a persecution complex. Maybe your boss reprimands you for irresponsible behaviour, then you claim you're being persecuted. If you suffer for doing wrong, you're not being persecuted, you're being corrected. Suffering for righteousness means doing the right thing in the name of Jesus Christ and suffering for it. Never mix it up.1Pet.2.19-20; "For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. “NIV.
Therefore, in conclusion, don't be alarmed or depressed when you're hated. Become very comfortable with being hated and spoken against. If you're hated for being an ambassador of Christ, rejoice and shine your light brighter. Shalom Uvracha!
Meditation
1Pet.2.21 — To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." NIV