“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:18-19
No matter our age or station in life, I would venture that most of us desire the acceptance and approval of people. Humans were designed for community with others. We seek individuals that we can spend our lives and our time with.
Many believe we are living in a unique time in history, in regard to the chaos and lawlessness in the world around us. But historical and Biblical accounts reveal that there has always been periods of wickedness, evil, and strife. Both in the past and present, there are instances of Christians being ostracized, humiliated, persecuted, and martyred for their faith in and devotion to Christ.
Which is why Jesus’s words in John 15 are so timeless.
What does it mean to be hated by the world? Many Christians I know, especially if they are active in a place of faith and worship, are actually respected and admired by many in their community.
“The world” that Jesus refers to in Scripture does not mean the sphere on which we live, nor does it necessarily mean all people, but rather the environment created by individuals who live contrary to God’s teachings. For every good and perfect thing that was created by God, Satan designed a counterfeit product. John 8:44 tells us, “(Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Jesus reminds His followers that they will not be embraced by or fit in with the world, because of the values and principles Christians live by. Kingdom-people are dependent on God, are mournful over sin, submit themselves to the Lord’s will, are passionate about righteousness, are merciful, authentic, ethical, and are joyful even in the face of persecution.
Those who live contrary to the teachings of Jesus lean on their own understanding, rejoice and celebrate sin, follow their feelings and emotions, often deny the existence of universal truths, are quick to anger, are selfish, are unethical, and will avoid persecution and discomfort at all costs.
As you mature in your walk with Christ, there will be days when you feel like a stranger in this world. There will be days when you turn on the news and see masses of people celebrating occasions or judicial decisions that you know, based on what the Word of God tells us, surely make our Savior weep. There will be days when even well-meaning friends try to deter you from making selfless and righteous decisions, because they cannot fathom how someone could put their own comfort and needs aside for the sake of the greater good.
And while we are encouraged to not become like or to embrace the ways of the world, the teachings of our faith encourage us to continue loving and praying for others. The Scriptures tell us that “For God so loved the WORLD, that He gave us only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). Jesus died for all of us, and we should desire others to have a true encounter with our Savior.
We must remember that for those who do not know or love Christ, they are not merely being driven by their own desires, but in fact are being manipulated by Satan’s counter forces. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Until the day of Christ’s return, His people are commanded to continue being obedient to God’s will and being a source of light in the darkness. Through our faithfulness and love, we can set a Godly example to a fallen world.
It can be challenging when we feel like we do not fit in with the rest of the world. It can seem lonely during certain seasons, even if we belong to a strong church community. Christian author Mallory Smyth once said, “We are not supposed to fit in. We are supposed to be holy.” Holiness can be isolating. But we were created for God’s presence and pleasure; not for the world. We have been set apart for a greater purpose. This world is not our home; our home is yet to come.