Hatred from the world
Day 403, Thursday, Sept. 18
John 15:18 – Chapter 16
One of the bitter ironies of the New Testament is the clear message that Christians are to be loving but not loved. In fact, the clear expectation is that Christians will be hated by the world.
Beginning in 15:18 we read these words from Jesus, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
Jesus doesn’t say specifically why the world will hate him and his followers, but some reasons come to mind:

1. Christians don’t conform to the world. In every context and every culture to be different is to invite dislike. People usually prefer to be around others who think and act like they do. Following Christ, though, requires living to different standards that the rest of the world.
2. Christians challenge the status quo. Both directly and indirectly Christians question why things are as they are, and point to those things that are lacking in society. Sometimes this is deliberate; other times it is simply by living differently that we raise questions.
3. Christians by existing invite unflattering comparisons. As with the second point above, the existence of people living by Christian standards invites comparison with those who do not. Even when it is unintentional, this calls attention to moral and spiritual lapses.
   While it is inevitable that Christians will be unloved by the world, this is not an excuse to be unlovable; that is, the Christian should never set out to be antagonistic or loathsome.
   In 1 Peter 3 we are told, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Thursday meditation

Job 35:9-16
“People cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’ He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it. How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you must wait for him, and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness. So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words.”

Prayer focus
Lord, lead us to be both loving and loveable, and forgiving when others do not respond in kind.

-Rev. Mark Fleming