Hated Without A Cause

“Hated Without A Cause”

John 15:18-25, 16:1-4

What can we expect as followers of Jesus Christ as we live our lives in this world? Some, because of the influence of the Prosperity Gospel, believe that if we are true believers we should have lives of ease and affluence. We should have everything we need and never have any difficulties or sickness or lack. But truth is that godly believers are not always healthy and certainly not wealthy.

As John Philips so plainly states, “When God seeks to attract someone to Christ, he does not hand out slick brochures offering houses and land, wealth and health, success and security in this world. He tells things as they are. The world hated Jesus and it will hate his people.” [John Philips. Exploring The Gospel of John. (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1989) p.294]

Sometimes believers suffer and are persecuted. And when life does not fit our neat little theological box, some either toss faith aside or they deny reality.

Yet Jesus never promises that life as a believer will be constant smooth sailing! In fact, Jesus promised just the opposite. A problem free life is not necessarily a sign that God is pleased with our lives. The absence of persecution may actually indicate something is wrong.

According to the 2025 World Watch List report released by Open Doors in January 2025, more than 380 million Christians worldwide suffer high levels of persecution. The top ten nations for persecution of Christians: holding the number one spot is North Korea, then five are in Middle East (Syria, Yemen, Pakistan, Iran) and four are in Africa (Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria). Reports indicate a rise in violent incidents, with approximately 4,849 Christians killed for their faith between October 2024 and September 2025.

And while you may not see Christians killed very often in our country, there is a constant opposition to the cause of Christ. Christians are negatively characterized by television and in movies. Newswriters often slant their version of the stories involving Christians to make us look back- ward and, uneducated or just plain whacko! Those who stand for the truth of God’s Word are insulted, lied about and criticized. Christians in the work-place who let their faith be known are often maligned and passed over for promotion! I could go on but I think you get the point.

The words that Jesus speaks in verse eight-een were certain to have jolted His Disciples as they continue to unsettle believers today. He said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”

Although this verse begins with the word “if” the matter is not really in question. The “if” as used here is conditional with a literal meaning of “since.” The dominant theme of the text today is the hostility of the world to Christ and his follow-ers, the word “hate” or “hatred” is repeated seven times in this verse. Puzzling to me is that every religion and belief system seems to be tolerated accept Christianity.

Previously Jesus has shown them how deeply He loved the Disciples and now He shows them the contrast to that love by explaining that the world is going to hate them. Throughout His ministry Jesus warned His Disciples that they could expect being His followers would not be an easy existence, that in fact they could expect to be persecuted.

The Bible is filled with predictions of the cost of discipleship.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” (Matt 24:9)

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12)

“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” (Phil 1:29)

“…that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” (1 Thess 3:3)

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Persecution, tribulation, trials, and suffering are all words used in the Bible to describe the plight of those who stand in faithfulness to Christ and in opposition to the world. It is not something that might happen to Christians, but rather something that is promised will happen to believers.

William Temple in his Readings in John’s Gospel notes that, “The world …would not hate angels for being angelic; but it does hate men for being Christians. It grudges then their new char-acter; it is tormented by their peace; it is infuriated by their joy.” [William Temple. Readings in John’s Gospel. (NY: MacMillian, 1945), p.272]