Tag: Hatred

Digging in Deeper: Psalms 122:6-9

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“Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure; may there be peace within your walls, security within your fortresses.’ Because of my brothers and friends, I will say, ‘May peace be in you.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will pursue your prosperity.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

This past Saturday a new horror was unleashed upon the world. Well, it wasn’t actually a new horror at all. It was an old horror that has been played on repeat for a very long time. But this particular manifestation of it was new. It was started afresh perhaps. Islamic terrorists from the religio-political entity known as Hamas executed a long-planned and vicious attack on a mostly unsuspecting Israel. Reactions around the world to this atrocity have been disgustingly mixed. Additionally, like so many violent confrontations involving Israel, this one has prompted believers to wonder if this is a sign of the approaching end of the world. A Babylon Bee headline satirically noted that the 700 Club’s Rapture Clock was set two minutes closer to the start of the Tribulation. What should we make of this latest attack on Israel by its enemies, and does it actually say anything about the timing of Christ’s return? Let’s spend a few minutes this morning thinking about that.

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Morning Musing: Matthew 5:43-45

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

One more recommendation for you this morning. This time a show from Netflix that started out on YouTube. This one combines great writing and acting, a terrific story, martial arts, and a heaping dose of nostalgia to make it even sweeter. The language is once again awful and it’s pretty violent, but the picture of redemption we are given along with the power of love over hatred once again shows why the Christian worldview is right and true. Today, let’s talk about why you should watch Cobra Kai.

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Morning Musing: Luke 6:22-23

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“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”
– ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:22-23‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter) 

In this world there are two opposing forces. They are not even remotely equal, but opposite, as popular literature and several different religions hold them to be, but they are opposing all the same. There is the world and there is God. If we are received by and accept the reception of one, we will reject the other. As Jesus Himself made plain, we cannot have both. More specifically, if we receive God, the world isn’t going to like us anymore. 

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Morning Musings: 1 John 3:13

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“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Make no mistake: If you are a follower of Jesus, the world hates you just like it hated Him.  Now, this doesn’t mean that everyone who isn’t one of His followers as well hates you.  You may (and should) have friends who are non-believers, some of whom may be very good friends.  But, for anyone who is committed to the ends of the world (the elevation of self and the desires of the flesh above all else), they will hate the ends of the kingdom toward which you are working (the elevation of God and the humiliation of self), a hatred which will eventually be worked out through you.

Persecution should never surprise us as followers of Jesus.  If we behave as He did, we will be treated as He was as well.  This should be a mark of pride, knowing that we are on the right track.