John 15:19 – Loving Those Who Hate

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19 ESV)

Last week in our small Bible study group one brother asked, “Why does this world hates us, Christians?” This is the very good question indeed. The truth is that we are not of this world. We are not following the system of this world, but instead completely walking by faith and trusting the Word of God.

God has very specifically commanded us in His Word, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). As a follower of Christ we need to live out this commandment. When we do this, we can actually expect hatred from the world. The reason is, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

What should be our response when we see these things? Our Lord Jesus told us that we need to love our enemy, “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” (Matthew 5:44). This is tough to follow, but there is no alternative left for us. We need to show love towards them those who hate us and do good to them. By doing this we are not losing anything, rather we have everything to gain.

It is indeed blessed to walk in the love of the Lord. It is the way of peace, and the Lord manifests Himself to the world through our love-life-style. “And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us………” Ephesians 5:2). “And this is the love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2 John 1:6).

May our good Lord bless us as we walk in His love with others! Prema and I love you so dearly and pray for you.

Adapted from Pastor Sharad’s newsletter. You can learn more about his ministry in India and how we support them here.