Throughout history, religious persecution and violence have been common. Millions and millions of people have been tortured and killed in the name of religion or against religion. This is sad and a shame on all of humanity. It seems like every day brings more evidence in the news. It’s going to get much worse as we approach the end times. But, there must not be a hint of hatred and betrayal among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. (Luke 6:22-23)
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. (Luke 6:27-31)
The end of the world is coming soon, which means persecution, hatred, and betrayal will increase
Jesus said it is going to get worse and worse. The Apostle John prophesied that many antichrists are coming in the last hour, but even 2000 years ago, he said, “even now many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18). Jesus Christ said that it would be like the days of Noah before the end times, when every intent and imagination of the human heart was consistently wicked and totally evil. (Genesis 6:5). It is getting worse, and very soon, it will get much worse.
“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:9-14)
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. (1 Peter 4:7-9)
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also,
“If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?”
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. (1 Peter 4:12-19)
There must not be a hint of hatred and betrayal among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
Jesus said, you are either with me or against me. (Matthew 12:30) There is no middle ground. The same is true for your Christian brothers and sisters. You are either with them or against them, you either love them or hate them, you are either living in the light or still living in darkness. (1 John 2:9) There is no middle ground. You can’t be half with and half against, you can’t be half in love and half in hate, you can’t be half in light and half in darkness.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness. (1 John 2:9-11)
2:9-11: Another indication of truly knowing Christ is one’s treatment of other Christians. John is again pointing to those who claim to be spiritually enlightened but separate themselves from other Christians with an attitude of superiority. John defines such an attitude as hatred. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) 1 John 2:9
Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s teachings say. (James 1:22-25)
For deeper study:
- Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer — Jesus Christ commanded his followers to love each other as he has loved them. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you obeying these commands? If you are obeying these commands, your joy will overflow. If you are not obeying these commands, you may be guilty before God of being a murderer.
- If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar — Christians know we are supposed to love one another. Christians know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. The world will know we are Jesus Christ’s disciples by our love for each other. But, in an excuse to avoid doing what we know we should do, it’s easy to ask, “Who is my brother?”
- Why Grace Changes Everything by Chuck Smith – The difference grace will make for you…. Grace.. It’s a word we all love to hear. But do we all know what it means? Without it, our lives are dry and dusty. But when grace comes, it transforms our lives into something rich and beautiful. With remarkable insight gleaned from his own life, Pastor Chuck Smith unfolds the mystery of grace and reveals the surprising truth: We can never grow in grace by our own efforts. True grace flows from the heart of the Father through the love of Jesus Christ. To know that God is for you, that He loves you, is the greatest source of security you will ever know. That is grace-and that is what makes life worth living.
- Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry Osborne – Zealous faith can have a dangerous, dark side. While recent calls for radical Christians have challenged many to be more passionate about their faith, the down side can be a budding arrogance and self-righteousness that “accidentally” sneaks into our outlook.