“Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated me. If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine. So remember what I taught you, that a servant isn’t superior to his master.  And since they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. And if they obey my teachings, they will also obey yours. They will treat you this way because you are mine,  and they don’t know the One who sent me.” John 15:18-21 TPT

Have you ever been hated? I mean truly hated. Not just because you rubbed people the wrong way, or possibly offended someone, but really hated because of who you are? I don’t know that I have been, to my knowledge anyway. Most people just drop out of your life or choose not to be around you and that’s never bothered me.

But hate that goes a bit beyond dislike, I think we’ve been blatantly seeing that in our own nation for the past 5 years. Especially in those who hold fast to the Love of Jesus. You can call it what you want, but persecution happens, and it’s hate vs love that usually causes it to happen.

Jesus was so clear about it when He said, “Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated me.” Basically, it’s not you, it’s Him in you that they hate. There’s nothing that can soften the heart entrenched in hate when they stubbornly hold fast to that hate. God will not be a dictator, He always allows us to choose even when it hurts His heart to do so.

So what can we do about it? Absolutely nothing! Just stay connected to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Even when we don’t understand what’s happening, keep loving. Don’t allow your vision to be distracted by the wars, battles or skirmishes that are happening around the world. Pray for those in the battle and keep doing what Jesus commanded you to do; Love one another as He loved us and gave His life for us.

He showed us that it’s all about the Father’s plan and our part in it. We cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into the trap the enemy has set. To lure us into his web this late in the game would be detrimental and destructive to the plans of God, our Father and His redeeming grace.

It’s hard and I don’t like it one bit, but I’ll set my heart to run the race, looking to Jesus, my prize.

Sandy G