In the last twenty years “hate crimes,” have become the great social evil. It has become a matter of “political correctness.” Anyone who objects to the normalization of homosexual behavior, for example, is guilty of a hate crime. Anyone who shares an opposing opinion is guilty of “hate.” They have committed a “hate crime.”
Many wield this word with venomous and pius authority, little knowing that they have hijacked an important word from the Bible. According to God’s word, it is not homosexuals that are hated. It is God himself. Sinners hate God, and this is the real “hate crime,” the one that should ultimately concern us. Here is how Jesus put it.
(John 15:18–19) “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
(John 15:23) “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.”
(John 15:25) “But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.”
The extent of the first-century world’s hatred of Christ was truly astounding. They manifested their animosity by nailing him to a cross. They slowly, painfully, tortured him to death in mind-numbing agony. Meanwhile they mocked and belittled him. Here is real hatred.
Why did the world hate Jesus? For the same reason that it hates him today. He stood between them and the thing they love…their sin. “The world hates me,” said Jesus, “because I testify about it that its works (e.g. homosexual behavior) are evil” (John 7:7).
Here is the shocking truth! Jesus poured out his life in love for those who hated him. He loved his enemies. He gave his life for them. He forgave them. He suffered infinite torments to advance their ultimate happiness. Wow! What do we do with this?
Brothers and sisters, if the world hated Jesus, it will hate us also. About this subject we should be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. And like Jesus, we must be ready to return their hatred with sacrificial love. Are we ready for this?
When we think of hate crimes, these are ultimate, these are the real “hate crimes” that should deeply concern us all.
As always, I would love your response.
(John 15:23) “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.”
(John 15:25) “But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.”
The extent of the first-century world’s hatred of Christ was truly astounding. They manifested their animosity by nailing him to a cross. They slowly, painfully, tortured him to death in mind-numbing agony. Meanwhile they mocked and belittled him. Here is real hatred.
Why did the world hate Jesus? For the same reason that it hates him today. He stood between them and the thing they love…their sin. “The world hates me,” said Jesus, “because I testify about it that its works (e.g. homosexual behavior) are evil” (John 7:7).
Here is the shocking truth! Jesus poured out his life in love for those who hated him. He loved his enemies. He gave his life for them. He forgave them. He suffered infinite torments to advance their ultimate happiness. Wow! What do we do with this?
Brothers and sisters, if the world hated Jesus, it will hate us also. About this subject we should be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. And like Jesus, we must be ready to return their hatred with sacrificial love. Are we ready for this?
When we think of hate crimes, these are ultimate, these are the real “hate crimes” that should deeply concern us all.
As always, I would love your response.
Thank you for your insight. The hate is shown in gay marriage. Since marriage is a picture of Christ's love for the church, what better way to mock God and show disregard for his intrinsic characteristics? Yet, WE, the ones who oppose gay marriage are the ones who hate!