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Love Amidst Hatred
March 27, 2016
How do Christians survive the onslaught from those who hate us? The world hates us and attacks us for our very dedication to God, our heavenly Father. Jesus taught us to love everyone, including our enemies -- those who persecute and attack, who damage our reputations, and would do us physical harm if not for civil law. Jesus came to die for a world full of sinners, not a world full of righteous people. He is our example. - Bernie Parsons
Love Amidst Hatred
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 03-27-2016
Presented to Load church of Christ on 04-03-2016
There is a lot of hatred in the world, some on open display, while other
hatred is hidden. But it is there. Jesus and His apostles made clear
just how important love is in this world.
Hatred is listed among the works of the flesh. Such things are to be
purged from our lives.
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Jesus was hated by those in darkness, and warned His followers that
they, too, would be hated.
John 15:17 “These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye
are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater
than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;
if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."
Luke 6:22 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out
your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is
great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the
prophets.”
Jesus explained to His disciples that they were to be different than the
world.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another."
John 15:"8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so
shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my
love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved
you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends."
John differentiated between those walking in the love of God, and those
walking in darkness.
1 John 3:10 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children
of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither
he that loveth not his brother.
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we
should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And
wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his
brother's righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."
The world is filled with hatred, but Christians are to be full of love.
This includes being good citizens of our country, and being good friends
to our neighbors.
Titus 3:1 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers,
to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all
meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived,
serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful,
and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."
Followers of Christ become profitable to themselves, and to all men. We
are a living testament to the heart and mind of God, with His words
living through the deeds that we do.
Matthew 5:43 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, 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;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on
the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even
the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do
not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect."
The apostle Paul quoted this from Proverbs 25:
Romans 12:17 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest
in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him
drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
The apostle Peter lays out the life of peace and love that identify the
child of God.
1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his
tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are
open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that
do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is
good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be
not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give
an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in
you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of
evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well
doing, than for evil doing."
We cannot stop the hatred of those who walk in darkness of sin and
rebellion against God. We can show the world a different, and better,
way of life. We love in the midst of the hatred.
