HATRED IN THE
WORLD
INTRODUCTION
Hatred in the World has been increased through secular media which recreates one’s thinking; if allowed, towards the desired slant of the reporting media. There is biased reporting which can readily be identified as the coverage at hand unfolds. The temperament of the recipient can be altered after being entertained with such reporting.
Quotes concerning hatred: Hate and trust are the children of blindness (Anonymous). Hatred comes from the heart; contempt from the head and neither feeling is quite within our control (Arthur Schopenkauer). Hatred is a prolonged manner of suicide (Anonymous). Hatred like love feeds on the merest trifles (J. G. Brainard). There is an inroad being laid, in these latter days, that bears testament to the mentioned quotes as man continues on the road of hatred rather than love mentioned in God’s Word.
Apostle Paul wrote of the characteristics of love towards: Charity (love) suffers long, and is kind; envies not; vaunteth (brags) not itself, is not puffed up (arrogant). Does not behave itself unseeingly (rudely), seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity (love) never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Thank God for those who display such qualities; reflecting the love of God.
Hatred in the World
Wrong Attitudes Encouraged
The movies, television, internet, and other such venues, often times opens the door for endorsing hated in the world by what is being portrayed in its content. There use to be a wholesome family influence which expounding on good morals, proper attitudes in difficult situations, and more importantly presented a godly nature. Violence is endorsed with hatred on display, at its best, rather than forgiveness and reconciliation as reflected in the past.
Thank God for those who take a stand, unafraid to be a witness to the truths of God’s Word, rather than fall in line with the popular trend, often suffering reproach for their godly stance. It was noted that as the world moves steadily toward living entirely by secular values, Christians who adhere to the Bible and Christian faith will be hated by the world. Hatred in the world escalates in such an environment rather than being abated.
Cry of Distress
In the Psalm of David he uttered a cry of distress in speaking to the Lord: They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they that would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty (Psalm 69:4). In such an environment one may cry out as did the Prophet Elijah: I have been very jealous (zealous) for the Lord God; for the children of Israel (Israelites) have forsaken your covenants (law), thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (1 Kings 19:10).
Both illustrations reflect those in dire need of help; in both cases, God interceded on their behalf; and today God has equipped His people to stand as well. Apostle Paul wrote: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil (prompter of many evils of our day) (Ephesians 6:10). The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).
Reaction to Hatred
Jesus said: Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach (revile) you, and cast out your names as evil, for the Son of man’s (reference to Himself) sake. Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets (Luke 6:22-23).
Apostle Peter wrote: If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy (blessed) are you; and be not afraid of their terror (threats), neither be troubled. Sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer (defense) to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (reverential awe); having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation (conduct) in Christ (1 Peter 3:14-16).
Hope in the Midst
of Suffering
In a poem titled: "This too will Pass Away" by an unknown author, are found these words: If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be.
If I can remain calm and quiet with my entire world crashing about me secure in the knowledge God loves me. If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true that darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away too; then nothing in life can defeat me.
For as long as this knowledge remains I can suffer whatever is happening, for I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness trying to fill me with fear. For there is no night, without dawning and I know that my morning is near. The Psalmist wrote: Weeping may endure for a night but joy (shout of joy) comes in the morning (Psalm 31:5).
Golden Rule
The golden rule has been forfeited for the sake of equating the accepted norm of the day. Jesus revealed what is referred to as the Golden Rule: Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:14). It was noted that this is the law and the prophets’ indicates that the statement made here by Jesus is not intended to be novel but rather a summarization of the second table of the law.
Hatred in the world could not endure if the Word of God was seated in the heart of man. Hatred in the world is not a new thing for it first begins in the first Book of the Bible, after the fall of man, through Cain hating his brother Abel (Genesis 4:5-8).
Jesus encouraged believers towards an attitude that is opposite of hatred: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44). It was noted that love your enemies is one of the greatest statements Jesus ever commanded; to love one’s enemy not on the basis of mere human affection, but rather on the basis of a love that comes from God.
Salvation of Man
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world (you and I) that he gave his only begotten Son (one of a kind - born of a virgin who knew not man) that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). God allowed His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to suffer and die on the cross for the sake of fallen mankind on that eventful day in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6) in which sin entered into the picture through Adam and Eve.
Apostle Paul wrote: As by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12). Therefore as by the offense of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (the Lord Jesus Christ) the free gift (forgiveness of sin) came upon all men unto justification of life (salvation) (Romans 5:18). Hatred in the world cannot endure in the midst of genuine salvation through Christ as one’s Lord and Savior (John 13:34-25).
Strength of the Lord
The Psalmist David wrote: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat (devour) up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident (Psalm 27:1-3).
David, as a champion of Israel, first against a giant opposing all of Israel, then through many wars, David knew who to turn too, as that of many men of God throughout God’s Word, both New and Old Testaments, and today. David finalized the 27th Psalm with the words: Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).
Peace Giver
Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 15:27). Hatred in the world is often directed to those who possess peace that Jesus spoke of, for in hatred there is no real peace, or even satisfaction.
Apostle Paul gives instructions on how one should approach those who do not possess such peace: The servant of the Lord (Christian) must not strive (quarrel); but be gentle to all men, apt (able) to teach, patient, in meekness instruct (correct) those that oppose (in opposition) themselves.
If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth; and that they may recover (come to their senses) out of the snare of the devil (the promoter of such), who are taken captive by him at (or to do) his will (2 Timothy 3:24-26). Salvation of the soul brings lasting peace which hated in the world cannot find, other than through Christ. Apostle Paul wrote: Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
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