Scripture to Read: John 15:18
In John 15:12–17, Jesus really focused on how all of His followers are to love as He loves us. But then, Jesus shifted and began to discuss the hatred of the world toward His followers. Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” No one wants to be hated by anyone, but Jesus’ warning was to prepare His eleven disciples for what was coming and to prepare us for today. This world is consumed with the sinful desires of the flesh. God tells us in 1 John 2:15–17, "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." Nothing this world offers us is from God. Now, God does bless us with what we need through the resources He has created in this world, but the world’s system and values are earthly, sensual, and demonic. Every follower of Christ is in direct opposition to this world. Therefore, because the world hates Christ, the world is also going to hate all of His followers. As Christians, we should expect nothing less than hatred from this world.
Challenge & Application
• Why does the world have such a hatred for Christ and all of His followers?
• What does the world offer us, and why should we avoid it?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!