Do You Want To Be Hated?

Hate is a angry word. It brings up visions of that which is
evil and painful. The word is often employed when discussing
those who oppose that which is considered right and lawful.
When people teach view points which go against what is common,
some suggest they are only doing it out of hate.

Christians are often accused of being hateful of other
religions, and of the poor and needy. While the denominational
world has turned it's back upon God's plan and instituted one
that pleases men, they point to the Lord's church as refusing
to follow because they "hate the poor", or "they hate anyone
who doesn't agree with them."

Jesus said this would happen. "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." (John 15:18,19) Although being hated by the
world is no guarantee that we are practicing truth, we need
to understand that Jesus said his followers would suffer this
persecution. The hate of the world will follow the preaching
and living of the Gospel. The world does not like to be
reminded, by the Gospel, that it is against God. So, it seeks
to persecute saints, by charging them with being hateful.
It is the world that is hateful: hateful of God and His word.
If we are living the Gospel, then Jesus promises us that we
will be His. Let the world hate us, for we can live with the
Love of Jesus. [JW]