I was listening today to John 7:7 that the world hated Jesus because He testifies against it, that its works are evil. This is the same root that is used in Acts 1:8 that says we will be His witnesses or testify of Him when the Holy Spirit comes on us.
This is why the world hates Christians because true Christians represent, or are witnesses of Jesus, who testifies that the works of the world are evil. What are the works of the world? Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV): “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
We see this in our culture as Christians are called hate filled or mean because true Christians will not applaud the evil works the world wants everyone to accept. It’s not enough that people have freedom to do as they please, they want to take away the freedom of others and require they applaud or favor these evil choices. When one speaks an opposing opinion, they are called bias, racist, or bigoted, when it is simply about the Biblical standards one chooses to live by.
Evil cannot tolerate exposure. We see this on personal levels with Christians as well when their selfish, prideful, unbiblical ways are exposed and they are required to be accountable. Their evil ways are exposed and suddenly they begin to call those requiring accountability religious, irrelevant, or if that does not work, they just make up lies. Sinners will act like sinners, but Christians are not supposed to operate like sinners. Christians, by virtue of the One they represent, should by default expose evil. Light will always expose darkness. This is why people influenced by evil will hate Christians without any other cause other than it is His light exposing their evil deeds.
This is why Paul told the Christians of Ephesus in Ephesians 5:8–11 (ESV): Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
So this is not the time to be wimpy Christians who are more concerned about hurting feelings than delivering people from the consequences of their darkness. If we love someone, we will prevent them from destruction. People are dying from
drug overdoses everyday. Research shows that those who engage in same sex relationships have anxiety and depression at rocket level higher rates than heterosexuals, and those who have aborted babies struggle with the trauma of guilt and shame that many never recover from. But all these can be forever healed when God’s light shines into their darkness and eradicates and heals their brokenness.
The devil is an evil genius. He allows just enough darkness to keep people out of relationship with God, but not enough to kill them until they are no longer useful to him. When their influence wanes, their usefulness will wane. We see this with the idols people have created in the world such as sports or Hollywood idols.
So, do we have enough light within us to expose evil? Are we willing to be the one who will hold “professing Christians” accountable for their sloppy, selfish, greedy, evil ways? Or, are we like the 5 foolish virgins in Mt 25 that were not aware
that their lamps were dim and half filled with oil?
Many are going into eternity lost today because “Christians” are so involved in the darkness that they are blending in rather than exposing, and by default affirming the works of darkness. This is not a guilt trip but a wake up call. The pope recently gave permission for his priests to bless same sex marriages. No one can affirm darkness and be a follower of Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 6:23 (NLT): But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
So the world will hate any who expose its deeds of darkness. Are you willing to stand with Jesus and say the world can hate me because I refuse to acknowledge their evil deeds? Why? Because we love people
and we cannot be more concerned about their temporary feelings than their eternal destiny.
We have been praying for sometime that an openly and brazenly advertised witch store in our city would close. I found out recently that the owner recently passed away at an early age. All that was stated in the obituary indicated the darkness she persisted to embrace, even to her death. Some may view this as a victory. My heart was broken because she is forever in eternity with no other option but where she is now. How deep is that darkness when we have been deceived to believe it is light!
