“UNJUSTIFIED HATRED”

13 “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.”

1 John 3:13

Was there ever someone who hated you for no reason? This person is so hell-bent on hurting you even when you have never wronged them. Whether they physically abuse or verbally insult you, their actions are uncalled for. If so, how do you react to such cruelty? Do you respond with “an eye for an eye” mentality, or do you take the high road and show them undeserved kindness?

As we continue our study on 1 John 3, we can see the writer’s warning to his readers about the behavior of corrupt people toward them. They should not be surprised (“thaumazo,” “to marvel, wonder”) when they receive offenses from the world (“kosmos,” “the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ”). Such kinds of people prove that they belong to the order of Cain, the man who killed his brother out of jealousy and hatred. People like Cain have unjustified hatred toward people like Abel (his brother).

What is hatred?

The original Greek word used here is “miseo,” “to pursue with hatred, detest.” To hate is to have malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others, whether an innocent individual or by mutual animosity. The world hates Christians by default because our good works implicitly rebuke its evil ways. History has a rather long list of godly people loathed and persecuted by the world. Therefore, believers should expect hatred from the ungodly (Matthew 10:22; John 15:18-19). Hostility from the world should not surprise us because they belong to our enemy, the hateful Satan (1 John 3:10).

The Bible equates hatred to murder. Why is that so? Does it mean that hating causes the same amount of damage as an actual murder? No, but God sees our hearts and our inner desires. When our hatred is left unrestrained, it inevitably leads to murder. In fact, the only reason we don’t actually murder someone is that we fear being arrested, put behind bars, or dying. If we take away these deterrents, it's only a matter of time before people actually kill someone.

How should we respond to the world’s hatred?

I’d like to present three suggestions.

First, take the world’s hatred as a means of identifying with Christ’s suffering. The Bible tells us that we should welcome persecution since it is a part of our calling (Philippians 1:29).

Second, refuse to hate anyone, especially fellow Christians. The Lord conspicuously commands us to love one another (John 14:15). When we hate a fellow believer, we violate a direct order from our Commanding Officer. And let’s not forget that we became a part of God’s family because of love (John 3:16).

Third, return good for evil (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:21). Not only does this allow us to leave justice in God’s hands, but our kindness also opens doors for a possible witness encounter. Sometimes, the best way to evangelize a person does not even involve words, only acts of kindness.

Having read this short devotional blog, how do you plan on responding to people who have unjustified hatred toward you?

Pursue the Savior today!

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