Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not come to the world to condemn the world of its sin, but to pay the penalty for our sin, so that we might not be condemned for our sin. Jesus suffered the full measure of God’s wrath for our sin so that, through faith in that very act of love, we might be saved from God’s wrath and condemnation. Jesus Himself said:
“For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17).”
He did for us what we could not do for ourselves so that we might be saved. There has never been, nor will there ever be a greater act of love than what Jesus has done us. Yet He is hated for it. Jesus is the most hated man in the history of the world. Not one of the most evil, hateful, murderous leaders in our world’s history is hated as much as Jesus is today.
Jesus taught
- To love our Creator God above all other relationships in our lives: “He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37).”
- To love one another as we love our own selves: “The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39).”
- To love one another as He has loved us: “This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12).”
- To love our enemies: “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, (Luke 6:27).”
- To do what is good to those who hate us: “do what is good to those who hate you, (Luke 6:27).”
- To speak well of, and invoke blessings, upon those who curse us: “bless those who curse you, (Like 6:28).”
- To pray for those who mistreat us: “pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28).”
- To forgive one another as He has forgiven us: “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).”
This is why Jesus is hated so much. This is what He lived and taught, and this is why He was persecuted and murdered; and this is why those who are His true followers, those who strive to live according to His moral standard are so hated, despised, and murdered as well.
There are many people who think that when Jesus speaks out against all sexual immorality, drunkenness, lying, cheating, greed, abuse of power, injustice, abortion, murder, and many other things, He is condemning those who practice those things. He is not, He is simply warning them of the fact that our sinful nature does not allow us to turn away from those things on our own, and that because of that, we are headed to an eternal separation from a God who created us, and loves us, and wants to care for us.
He warns us that there is only one way to avoid God’s wrath upon us, and that is to put our full faith and trust in what He did on the cross to save us from God’s wrath. Here’s how Jesus explains it to us:
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God (John 3:16-18).”
Do not let the world confuse you and talk you into believing the lies told about Jesus. There is only one to know Jesus in a personal way, and that’s by:
- Asking Him to forgive your sins: “If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).”
- Surrender to His Lordship over your life: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:9-10).”
- Commit to striving to live in immediate, radical, costly obedience to his commands: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).”
This is why Jesus is so hated, still. Do you hate Him? Will you accept His free gift of salvation this Christmas? After all, that is why He came. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
***If you have questions, let me know.***
In Christ’s love,
Phil
Phil Covone's Blog 