Why Christians Are Hated?
The world hates Christian because the deeds of the world are judged or reproved by their righteous lives and their open testimony (John 7:7; 1 John 3:13). People hate the exposure of their wicked acts. Cain killed Abel “because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). The apostle John declares, “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).
Citizens of the heavenly kingdom may expect to have tribulation in this world (John 16:33), for their characters, ideals, aspirations, and conduct all bear silent witness against the evil of this present world (1 John 3:12). The enemies of the heavenly kingdom persecuted Christ, the King, and they may be expected to persecute His loyal followers (John 15:20).
Paul wrote, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). This speaks of not only the religious leader in the church, but all who devote their lives to walk in Christ’s path. They must expect to be misunderstood, misrepresented, and opposed for defending the truth (John 15:18–20; 1 Peter 4:12–19).
The War Between Good and Evil
Since the entrance of sin, there has been “enmity” between Christ and Satan, between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of this world, and between those who serve God and those who serve Satan (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:7–17). This conflict will go on until “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15; Daniel 2:44; 7:27).
Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Christ warned those who would be His disciples that they would be “hated of all men” for His “name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22). But He added that whoever “loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). Christians suffer for the name they bear, the name of Christ. In all the past ages, as in the early church, those who truly loved their Lord have rejoiced at being “counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41; Peter2:19–23; 3:14; 4:14).
But whatever life may bring, the Christian is to rejoice (Philippians 4:4) knowing that God will work all things for his good (Romans 8:28). This is particularly true of temptation or trial (James 1:2–4), because suffering develops patience and other traits of character essential to citizens of the heavenly kingdom.
God’s Blessings on the Persecuted
In the beatitudes, the Lord Himself assures His faithful ones that they will be blessed for their faithfulness, testimony and devotion to Him. Jesus said In the sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).
Those who get persecuted most for the Lord on this earth are more able to understand what He suffered for them. They will find that cooperating with the Creator is the ultimate goal and joy of existence. The apostle Paul also confirms the same truth: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12; Daniel 7:18, 27). When the Son of man comes in glory, “He shall reward every man according to his works” (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
