They Call Us Haters

They Call Us Haters
By Ronald Graham

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” 1 John 3:13. The idea behind this verse is that we (the Ekklesia of Christ) should not be surprised as we see the world becoming more hateful towards us. They’ve hated Messiah Jesus for the last 2,000 years so of course they’re going to hate His followers. The world of the perishing has no clue as to what Christians are all about. Many of them see us as haters. God tells us to love our neighbor as our self. But our neighbor hates us because we live our life in accordance to God’s will through His word. Then, as His children, we promote a godly lifestyle in the face of all adversity. Sometimes it’s easier to just walk away, or stay away, from those who think us haters, but the fact of the matter is they will never stop hating us until they see the truth for themselves and become a part of the same body of Christ.

There are many who hate the followers of Jesus Christ, but one group of folks who continually refer to Christians as haters are homosexuals, as do those who agree with and condone such a lifestyle. Why? Because all true born again Christians are fundamentally opposed to such a lifestyle. Most of us are steadfast and unwavering in our convictions of God’s truth. Taking a stance against homosexuality these days is not very popular. We are called intolerant, religious fanatics, haters that the world would do well to get rid of. The world is growing more hostile toward Messiah Jesus and His followers than ever before. Dark times are approaching.

It seems as though the homosexual agenda is to force their lifestyle into the mainstream of thought, that by doing so they can persuade through collusion all humanity to become as they are – homosexual. In order to be fully accepted into society they know that everyone must become homosexual or else there will always remain some who oppose that lifestyle, and any opposition is a conviction of sorts. They don’t want to be convicted so they need to rid the earth of those fanatical people who stand in their way, a way, I might add, that includes full on perversion.

All who stand opposed to the homosexual lifestyle are now known worldwide as haters. We are referred to in this manner because we believe in God, and His word is clear, He is diametrically opposed to the homosexual lifestyle. Those who call us haters, for the most part, don’t believe there is a God, thus they see us only as a mean spirited bunch of Neanderthals. Through their unbelief they take God’s glory from Him and place it upon themselves. The judgment of God is on those who reject Him but especially on those who work to change Him into a created thing. They are His creation and yet they see themselves as their own gods. “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things …Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” Romans 1:23, 25. Their bodies and especially abhorrent sex is their god.

“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. The fact is the cross is offensive to all those who are perishing. Those who refer to Christians as haters have a very stanch, intense desire to see us hurt. It is their goal to abuse us, persecute us, and even destroy us, all just so they are no longer confronted with the truth. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. When people hate Christians they are actually saying they hate God. They hate the children of God even though they don’t believe we have a Father in Heaven.

Not all professing Christians have a problem with the homosexual lifestyle. There are many who profess a faith in Christ but who are fully into practicing this ungodly abomination themselves. I would be remiss if I were not to point out the following statement of fact. When a person speaks about their faith, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are professing a faith in Christ. Many simply have faith in their own self-sufficiency. Until a person admits that the Gospel of Christ is true, they are not saved. They may repeat a statement such as “My Christian faith”, but until they say yes to Jesus Christ (from the heart) and become born again they remain as lost as those who hate and reject Christ altogether.

The born again are admonished to uphold God’s word as truth. We are to live our lives according to His precepts. God’s word is our authority and we need to embrace His truth. When He says homosexuality is an abomination, we need to stand firm on His word of truth.

Remember Jesus’ words, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. Standing against God’s will (His precepts) is a real good indicator that a person doesn’t know Jesus; the Holy Spirit is in every saint but that verse above makes it obvious that God’s Spirit is not in every person who professes to be Christian.

Standing contrary to God’s precepts would certainly fall under the category of grieving the Holy Spirit, which we are admonished not to do. “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30. Those who are sealed with God’s Holy Spirit find it next to impossible to stand contrary to His word. Poking our finger in the eye of God by condoning what He refers to as an abomination is not a good idea. By refusing to believe or follow His word we call Him a liar, another bad idea. These are just two bad ideas in a whole line of bad ideas promoted today by many who profess a faith in Christ.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. Ignoring God’s inerrant Word or using the power of line item veto upon His Word whenever something arises that conflicts with our own preconceived ideas is the same as saying God is out of touch and insignificant, especially concerning current cultural trends. This is simply not the attitude of a truly born again in Christ believer, and God’s judgment is upon those who remain in this mindset.

Christianity is highly promoted as a tool to be used in political corners as a springboard for helping politicians get elected, or to remain in office. In many cases their Christianity is only a facade. But that facade is removed when it comes to ignoring God’s written word while remaining politically correct. The political climate of today only adds fuel to the flames of fire that promote hatred toward Christians. Representing our God as well as His truth is contrary to our current political system.

There is another group of folks who continually refer to Christians as haters; they are those who stand firm on a woman’s right to chose to murder her unborn baby. Murdering babies while they grow in the womb is a deplorable act of selfishness and pure hatred. Condoning this abomination as well as the homosexual lifestyle is akin to standing in full rebellion to our Creator God. In many cases, when a person comes to the realization that they’ve been an accomplice in the murder of their own baby their hearts are broken and only the love of Christ can heal that broken heart. As with all sin, once we truly ask for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive.

Christians who show the love of Christ through the way they live their lives and interact with others, even though those others may hate them and want to destroy them are doing God’s will. If it weren’t for the body of Christ on earth, this planet would have imploded many years ago. I know that many atrocities have been committed in the name of Jesus Christ. But those who murdered and destroyed lives, even though they used His name to justify their actions, were not living or acting according to God’s will and percepts.

As saints we are commanded to love our fellow man. The ones who call us haters have nothing to fear from us. We are only here to promote the Gospel of peace. We live for Christ and we love our fellow man and hate should never be a part of the life of a born again believer. The truly born again have one main goal, which is to spread the word of truth. We are to see to it that everyone, whether they call us haters or not, are given a look at the other side, Christ’s side.

“For God so loved the world” John 3:16a. Homosexuals and abortionists are nonetheless loved by God, but God will not abide their rejection of Him. We love our neighbor no matter what he/she is into that contradicts or offends God. Loving our neighbor doesn’t mean we want to go live with them, but it does mean that we have a burden on our hearts to see that they learn the truth about Jesus before it’s too late.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. Instead of letting these folks get to us and anger us let’s show them how to love by loving them no matter what hateful maneuverings they bring against us. Stand firm on God’s precepts without wavering. When we stand firm in our faith in God and on our convictions that His words are true, even the hardest heart and the weakest minds begin to be more receptive to our message.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12. It won’t be long before Jesus calls us to meet Him in the air, and then to give us our rewards. Hold fast to that fact. The Kingdom of Heaven is nigh at hand for all who know the Lord.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham
All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.
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