ESOCS Devotional 16 December 2023 – The World Hates Christians
MEMORY VERSE: “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7
TEXT: JOHN 7:1-13 (KJV)
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The world is hostile towards God. And so, it follows that it is hostile towards those who believe in God. Our text tells us that Jesus walked in Galilee and refuses to walk amongst the Jews because they wanted to kill him. He tells his brothers in verse 7 that the world cannot hate them but hates him because he testifies against their evil deeds.
Also in John 15:18-19, Jesus tried to comfort His disciples by telling them that the world’s hatred was first directed toward Him. Then Jesus goes on to explain further why the world would hate those who believe in Him. He said, “Because you are not of the world…” Yes, we are still in this world but we are not of this world.
God chose us out of this world and we are in many ways different from the world. Therefore, the world hates us.
God created you. God loves you. We sinned but Jesus died to save you from your sin. If you have not received this free gift of salvation, why not now before it is too late? To every Christian, when persecution comes to you, take heart God is with you. He will enable you to speak for Him.
We do not need to fear what this world can do to our bodies. We must remember that when we die, we will be with God as 2 Corinthians 5:8 says. We have nothing to fear when God is with us. How much faith do we have? Take heart, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). God sent us into this world, He will enable us. If we are God’s children, the world will hate us. A Christian’s notoriety and popularity can be a sign of how that person is addressing Christ to the world. It is quite difficult to be a Christian and, therefore, be mainstream in this world.
The world of unbelievers despised Christ, so we can anticipate that the world would detest the people who follow Christ’s example. This should not imply that all battles experienced by Christians are because of faith. Those who are harsh, unkind, unreasonable, unfair, improper, or immoral should expect to endure ordinary consequential suffering (1 Peter 4:14-15). Nor does it mean that only the individuals who experience brutal oppression are genuine believers, a few cultural societies honor God more than others.
In any case, when an individual dependably and faithfully follows Christ, and unbelievers lash out in resentment or contempt, that is not the Christian’s fault. Christ even stated that the world hated Him without a cause.
- What can separate you from God’s love? Can you sacrifice everything just for Jesus?
- Father, help me to ensure all the persecutions for your name’s sake in Jesus name. Amen
FURTHER READING: Genesis 18:16–33; 45:16-28; Revelation 10:1–21
ESOCS Devotional 16 December 2023
