“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
It’s now December and Christmas Day is still 3 weeks away. But the season of Christmas has already begun and is in full swing! Although Christmas has become more and more secular over the years, it’s still about the birth of a little baby in Bethlehem named Jesus who would be the Savior of the world! It’s because Christmas isn’t Christmas without Christ! Christmas is still recognized as a Christian event by over 2.2 billion people around the world. That’s one-third of the world’s population! And yet, Christianity is also the most persecuted faith in the entire world.
Were you aware that according to an Open Doors International report from 2021, 360 million Christians face persecution for their faith every day? For some that means imprisonment, torture, and even death! But for others it means loss of home, loss of job, or loss of family relationships. There are also other subtle forms of persecution, such as silencing of Christian voices and forcing Christians to do things that are opposed to Biblical teaching and their beliefs.
According to the latest Pew Research study in 2018, Christianity leads the list of the most persecuted religions, followed by Islam and then Judaism. And while the war between Israel and Hamas has stirred more antisemitism and anti-Islam feelings the past couple of months, Christianity still leads the world in being the most persecuted faith.
This is truly an amazing paradox when we think of all the good things that Christianity has brought to the world. Christianity introduced the concepts of morality, equality, monogamy, generosity, care for orphans, widows, and the elderly, and to love one’s enemies! These led to the creation of hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, food pantries, not to mention the Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, and Salvation Army, organizations begun by Christians that serve the world’s sick, poor, and hopeless.
So, if Christianity is does so much good, why does the world hate it?
The world hates Christianity because Jesus said it hated Him first (see John 15:18-19 above). Why? Because the world is comprised of people who reject God and His sovereignty over all creation (Exodus 20:3). Satan was the first being to reject God, and when he convinced Adam and Eve to distrust God (Genesis 3), they brought sin into the perfect world God created and it became corrupted from then on. As a result, Jesus was sent to the world to save the world from its own destruction. And although every human can receive this free gift of salvation, many still choose to reject it today.
But it also seems to me that there are 3 primary reasons why people reject or hate Jesus and persecute His followers.
First, Jesus taught that all people should put their faith and trust in Him alone. The Bible says in John 14:6 that the only way to God is through Jesus, His Son. To follow Christ is to submit our will to Jesus and God the Father, and to obey their commands. But many humans don’t want to yield their lives to God by putting their faith and trust in Jesus. They prefer to live according to their own desires or the way of the corrupt world. Either of these choices will end in death (Proverbs 14:12) and eternal separation from God. This is a message that the world does not accept or want to hear because it conflicts with their desires. And they will often do whatever it takes to try and silence that message!
Second, Christianity opposes earthly power structures. Whether it’s a national religion/tradition/culture, a political ideology, or an economic system, Christianity focuses on the freedom of the individual to follow Christ and His commands, which often contradicts the existing power structures. Those in power typically rule according to man-made rules and will often go to extreme lengths to stay in power by eliminating opposition and forcing conformity. History has shown the violence that human rulers have used to hold on to their power (Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Sadam Hussein, etc.).
Third, many people have had bad experiences in churches or Christian communities. This often leaves them hurt, used, and wounded. As a result, they have given up on God, believing He doesn’t truly care about them. Or perhaps they have been misled by false teachers and prideful leaders that have left them bewildered, confused, and doubting God’s Word. They were told that God would take away all their struggles and problems and leave them prosperous and happy. But that is contrary to what the Bible says. Jesus said in John 16:33 that “In this world we will have trouble”, while Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy 3:12 that “Everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” To believe that the Christian life is easy is a misnomer.
Paul also said in Romans 8:17, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” In other words, to submit to God and follow Jesus we will likely have to endure earthly suffering. They go hand in hand. Christians are never exempt from trials, but we are not alone in them either. God will always be with us (Joshua 1:5)!
I think what this all comes down to is that world hates Christians because they are a threat to their personal pursuit of earthly pleasure, earthly power, or earthly position, just as Jesus was! Many people like their life or their culture as it is and don’t want to conform to God’s design and intent, even for the benefit of a better life or a better world. People who follow Christ reflect their God-created purpose, and the life God wants for all people. So, to eliminate the threat and assuage their guilt, they hate and persecute Christians who remind them of it.
But we Christians should not be dismayed nor fearful. Let us remember the words of the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:14 when he said, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
We should also rejoice, because as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As you celebrate Christmas this year, remember that Jesus was not only born for you, He also suffered for you and was resurrected for you! He did this so that you may persevere through the inevitable trials of this world and rejoice that you are eternally His!
Hallelujah! Christ has come!