Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. Matthew 24:9
One of the most difficult things a person may go through is being hated by everyone else. No one likes to have everyone against them in hatred. People strive hard, going to great lengths to have everyone like them. Only when there are major differences do people then begin to hate each other and are unable to get along.
Matthew records Jesus talking about the end times to His disciples. He says that in the end all the nations would hate them, persecute them, kill them, and hate them for His name’s sake.
The world loves to talk about being tolerant and getting along with each other. Living in this way is the world’s way of loving each other. Although it sounds loving, it is not about love but about one getting one’s own way and everyone else must accept it. Anyone who does not accept a person’s personal views is not being loving.
Many believers and churches have given in to the ways of the world and are trying to be acceptable to the world. Standards are lowered. Sin is accepted. And the world loves them.
Believers who are truly following God do not get the same response from the world. God’s standards of holiness and righteousness go against the ways of the world. The stronger one stands upon God’s ways, the more offensive it becomes to the world.
In the end, the world will choose to hate believers. Persecution will rise against believers, and they will be killed. The world will hate the believer who stands upon God’s word. Though the world hates the believer, God loves the believer and will save the believer through it all, even if killed in this world.
Going through this life, you will not please everyone. The One you must focus on pleasing is God. As you please God more and more, the world will hate you more and more. His ways go against the ways of the world and the world hates it. Do not be surprised when the world hates you.
Be ready to stand strong for God in the face of persecution, hatred, and death. When it is all over, God will save you and you will be standing for eternity in heaven.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that the world will see you as a true follower of God; that God will give you strength in the midst of the world’s hatred toward you; and that you will remain true and strong towards God and His word.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
