Did the title get to you?  Do you believe that the nature of those who hate God, the “God-less”, are haters?  The ruler of this godless world is Satan, the fallen angel, who was kicked out of heaven because he wanted to be God.  Satan has been seeking revenge ever since that time.  Evil lurks in believing homes, in the workplace and even in our church buildings where we gather to worship God!  Satan consistently plants thoughts in our heads to confuse us about God so we will seem foolish to follow Him.  He is a Tempter but with limited power.  He is a Liar who wants to lead us to death.  But in the end, who is the foolish one?  The fallen angel or Jesus Christ, Son of God?  The one who leads us to death or the One and Only who leads us to life eternal.  We choose.

Jesus warns his disciples of this worldly hate that is so strong against Him that it will lead to beatings and torture, ending in death on a cross.  He prepares them for the harsh reality that will certainly come to those who love Jesus and love like Jesus.  “If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you.”  However, hate does not win in the end.  Jesus conquers death, rises again from death and reminds us God is in control at all times.  Love trumps hate.  Love wins every time.

Even though Jesus spent his earthly ministry life showing compassion, unconditional love, forgiveness, extreme healing beyond what the world had to offer, the godless world only saw hate and were driven by hate.

We might pause to ask ourselves, what drives us in our relationships, workplace, families, all of life?  Hate or Love.  Do we compartmentalize our love, as most the world does?  Do we sing of love on Sundays but hate on Mondays and the rest of the week because of annoying people who get in our way, have attitudes that don’t fit ours or think differently than we do?  Are we Godless in our thinking and behaving?  How firm to we stand with Jesus?

Is it too hard to be hated for following Jesus that we’d rather hide our belief to avoid the repercussions?  Jesus has something to say about that, too.  “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”  (Luke 9:26) 

“Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same.”  Okay, so that’s pretty clear, right?

Of the godless Jesus relates, “But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’”—Jesus

There is no good reason to hate when the Love of Jesus wins every time.  Love God.  Love Others like He loves us.  Love your enemies, teaches Jesus, and pray that they see God and believe in His love before it is too late.  That’s the love Jesus is teaching.  Don’t be hating like the godless world hates.  There’s just no good reason for it.

John—God’s Love

John 15:18-27, The Message

Hated by the World

^18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

²⁰ “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

^21-25 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same. If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’

^26-27 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

Lord,

Thank you for your unending, relentless, unconditional love!  Thank you for saving us.  Thank you for teaching us about hate before we have to deal with it in life. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit of Truth that confirms everything you have said on earth to fulfill all of Scripture.  Thank you for loving me.  Help me to love like you love even though it is harder than hating.  I do not want to hate—it hurts my heart.  Help me to deal with the haters of who I am in You.  I know you will, you always have.  Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus Name, Amen