Are You Hated?

“All men will hate you because of me, …” Matthew 10:22

That isn’t an encouraging word by Jesus. 

Can’t folks just like me?  So, do I have an option?  To be:

1) A noticeable follower of Christ, in return, be disliked, hated; or

2) Hide my faith, be politically correct, then, most everyone will like me. 

But, did Jesus give an option? 

Jesus gave some conditions, they require being obvious in our love to Him, and we are His friends only by doing what He commands (John 14:15 and 15:14).    

That being the case, I can’t put aside or be expected to be silent, I must be an obvious follower by doing what he said, such as, going to make disciples (Matt  28:19); loving other disciples, which allows others to know I’m His disciple (John 13:34, 15:12, 14, 17).

He commanded us to, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28)—this is hard to do, it hurts to be hated … but I have to do it.

I am not a metaphor, but a real follower.

I pray, live, love in Jesus Name!  A Name that is not offensive—merely hated.

Christ followers love, live as Jesus commands, many hate you for that—no matter:

I live by being like him, keeping in step with His Spirit (Gal 5:22-*25). 

Jesus did say, everyone “will hate you because of me,” but he also encouraged us, saying:

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

(Matthew 10:22)

In Jesus Name,

Owen <><

Question:  Are you a follower of Jesus, are you hated for Jesus sake?