They Hated Me First  
 

by Terry Benton

It was because people knew that Jesus was uncompromising with God's truth that they hated Him and worked for His death. Just before Jesus laid His life down for such sinners, He warned His apostles, "if you were of the world, the world will love its own." (John 15:19) but because you are not like them they will hate you. He reminded them that they needed to remember that "they hated Me first."

It is easy to want two masters, to please the world and think we have God's pleasure in us at the same time, but God says that one who makes himself a friend to the world becomes the enemy of God (James 4:4). We cannot love God and uphold His word, while trying to approve of those who trash His word.

Love for God separates us from the world of those with a self-centered lust-based outlook. The world follows a completely different standard than those who follow Christ. Don't expect the world who hated Jesus, the real one, to love you. We cannot do better than Jesus. We cannot stand for what Jesus stood for and expect the world to think well of us. Jesus told His disciples, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you." What fellowship does light have with darkness? Come out and be separate from the world. Christ will give you light!
(2 Cor.6:14 - 7:1). Do not be afraid or ashamed to be hated for Jesus' sake and for righteousness sake! In striving to be like the Master it is inevitable!

 

 

Other Articles by Terry W. Benton

The Pharisee Shield
Review of Radical Restoration Chapter 1
These Things Became Our Examples
The Fall and the Rising