“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Jesus’ words to his disciples before his arrest, trial, death, and resurrection, remind us that we shouldn’t expect—no matter how kind, loving, or winsome we might be—for people to love us (or even try to understand us!). The world hates the light of Christ (John 3:19), and so they will hate his people and his Word as well.
This hatred has been on full display since the June 24, 2022, decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v. Wade, thus ending the constitutional “right” to abortion (but, sadly, not ending abortion, though it is now restricted in many states in the US, praise the Lord!). With the threat that not everyone might be able to murder a child in their home state, many pro-death advocates have taken to social media and the streets in anger and rage.
And much of that rage is directed toward Christians (one of our staff members even saw one tweet that stated, “I now know why the Romans killed Christians”!) because of our stand on the sanctity of every human life. Of course, that belief comes from the Bible (e.g., Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139). So they hate the Bible too!
For example, one group of pro-abortion (really, pro-death) protestors in Seattle, Washington, were filmed taking a Bible and kicking it around, playing “soccer” with God’s Word before eventually tossing it into a portable toilet. What a way to treat the very Words of their Creator and ultimate Judge!
Not Our Home
For now, people can make the choice to treat God, his Word, and his people with contempt while promoting the violent killing of babies, but someday they will stand before God and give account for their actions. And what a fearful day that will be! I pray that those protesters’ proud hearts are humbled and that they recognize their need for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, before it is too late.
The outcry against Christians and Christian belief over the past few weeks should be (yet another) wake-up call to Christians—this world is not our home! Yes, we’ve enjoyed freedom and even respect as Christians for decades here in America. But that’s not America anymore! And that’s okay from an eternal perspective because this nation, this world, is not our home (Hebrews 13:14). Our home is heaven, and we are eagerly, zealously, and faithfully to do the King’s work until he either calls us home or returns.
Don’t be discouraged by those who rant and rail against Christ—God’s Word has endured centuries of such treatment, and yet it prevails (while other philosophies and rulers have come and gone). Chose now to remain faithful to Christ no matter the cost and to count him worthy of whatever indignity or injustice we might suffer for his name because our Savior is indeed worthy of it all (1 Peter 2:12–14).
And remember, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
