They Hated Me First
After you received Jesus in your heart and made the decision to walk the more righteous way, did you ever find yourself in a situation where you realized you had a new way of thinking that others simply could just not understand? Maybe your values and perspective changed – it should have!
Why They Hate You
2 Corinthians 5:17
New International Version
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
When you give your life to Christ, you are made new. You start to walk in the truth and realize just how much of what you used to believe was a lie from the enemy, meant to deter you from having a relationship with the Lord. Oftentimes, these are widely believed lies that are propagated as universal truths; the enemy is deceptive that way.
Revelation 12:9
New International Version
9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
However, as Saints we have the responsibility of speaking truth, in holy boldness. This might mean that people will not like you or even despise you. But that’s okay! Let’s see what Jesus had to say about this matter to his disciples…
John 15:18-22
New International Version
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 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. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
People do not like what they cannot understand. Those in the world do not know the Lord and are therefore unable to recognize Him. Being a follower of Christ might seem isolating when you are surrounded by unbelievers. Yet, as stated in the scripture, you are not meant to belong. After all, we are navigating a spiritual realm.
Ephesians 6:12
New International Version
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The enemy which we are called to come against, can never be fought in the natural plain or in the physical sphere, for we do not wrestle against a flesh and blood enemy. We are engaged in a spiritual battle with a wicked fallen angel and many evil principalities and powers who are the authors of evil, deception, lies, fear, sin, unrest, and war. Our battle is against spiritual rulers of darkness that influence the evil that is taking place in this world today, but they can never be defeated in our lives through natural weapons and worldly ways.
This is why robust prayer and being in your word daily is so necessary. Christ's victory at calvary is ours by faith today. He triumphed over Satan through His death, burial, and resurrection and only through HIM and the spiritual weapons of war that He provides, can we successfully come against the evil forces in our world today.
How To Respond
Receiving hate does not feel good. It can tempt you to get in the flesh and react with emotion. However, the love taught in scripture is a selfless love that calls you to extend that love, even to those who you might deem unworthy of it. We actually are commanded to pray for them!
Matthew 5:43-48
New International Version
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I can say firsthand, when you begin to consistently pray for those who have persecuted you and excluded you, you realize how hard it is to be resentful towards someone you’re praying for, regardless of how they might direct themselves towards you. There will be a time of judgment in the future, but, until then, God is gracious, even to those who hate Him. Wicked people, people who mock Him and even deny His existence still get to experience his mercy and have a shot at redemption.
A very wise and spirit filled woman once gave me this example: Before Apostle Paul became a new creation, he used to be Saul. Saul’s rejection of Jesus as the Messiah led him to believe that he needed to persecute the followers of Jesus to stop the spread of the Gospel. Saul devoted himself to massacring believers with the hope of prohibiting what he believed to be a false message. But God had other plans for Saul. It was on his way to imprison and persecute these Christians that Saul encountered Jesus in a way that forever changed his heart and his life. As Paul, he wrote a good majority of the New Testament. He founded churches, wrote letters, and led a ministry in which many men and women were part of spreading the Gospel and building up the church.
God can call and transform anyone he chooses, even the most hard-hearted.
To Conclude
In conclusion, the journey of faith often leads us to encounters with misunderstanding and even hostility from those who do not share our beliefs. However, this should not deter us from our path. As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in the truth and love, even amidst opposition. Just as Jesus warned his disciples that the world would hate them, we too may face rejection and persecution. Yet, we are reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. Therefore, our response must be rooted in prayer, love, and forgiveness, even towards those who persecute us. Through prayer, we can overcome resentment and extend grace to our adversaries, recognizing that God's mercy is available to all, even to those who oppose Him. Just as Saul's encounter with Jesus transformed him into Paul, a powerful instrument for spreading the Gospel, we must trust in God's ability to call and transform even the most hardened hearts. So, let us remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that our ultimate victory is secured through Christ and His redeeming work on the cross.
Let us pray…
Heavenly Father,
We come before you in thanksgiving for your abundant grace and the new mercies that you give us every morning. We give you thanks for the opportunity you give us every day to know you more and more. Expand your covenant with us and give us increased revelation. We repent from any pride in our hearts that has led us to hold resentment against anyone who has wronged us and we release forgiveness towards them in the name of Jesus. Lord, we ask that you give us encouragement throughout isolation and hate. We ask for strength throughout our faithfulness so that we remain steadfast in any storm. Lord bring to remembrance that we are to be a reflection of you in the lives of others, demonstrating your selfless love and grace. Heal us of any of our afflictions and give us peace in our hearts. As stated in John 19, it was finished when you made that sacrifice on the cross. Therefore father, remind us of the victory we have secured through you at all times.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen