Loving the Haters (Walk Like Jesus)
Easter brings the reminder of our own crucifixion. True conversion to Christ looks like death to self and life in Jesus. May we imitate Jesus’ walk to the cross in how we love everyone around us, even those who hate us.
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).
Treat your haters differently than you would’ve before you became a Christian.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Let the world smell Jesus in you, but realize Jesus reminds people of the reality of Heaven and Hell.
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, [16] to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).
Anticipate opposition.
Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you (1 John 3:13–15).
Prepare to receive hate when you speak and share the unadulterated Gospel.
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you (John 15:18–20).
Count persecution as a blessing.
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).
Choose loving action, words, and prayer towards those who hate you.
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either (Luke 6:27–29).
Live for your eternal reward, not for earthly blessings.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil (Luke 6:35).
Avoid temptations towards arguments and silence.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes (Proverbs 26:4–5).
Speak counter-cultural truth.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20).
Obey God, not men.
We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
Share the hope of salvation with passion and urgency.
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation’ (Acts 2:40).
Remember who you are in battle with.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
Pray for words of boldness, courage, and love.
...that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19).
After suffering, keep going.
...they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus (Acts 5:40–42).
Remain faithful until the moment of death.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Hate is real, but Jesus’ love is greater. Easter is coming. Eternity is coming. May we be ready to meet our Lord and Creator!