Hate is Good

Hate: The indisputable rival of love and in it's strongest essence, an obvious expression of detestability and revolt. 

Yet can hate be seen as a good? In your walk with Christ, are you hated for your stand or are you more concerned with not making anyone uncomfortable and fitting in? Do you know that as a believer, you're supposed to be hated for no better reason other than for your devotion to Christ? It doesn't mean that you shouldn't make notable strides to get along with others (Romans 12:8),it means that people will intentionally come against you or hate you because of your love for Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 15:18-21 that as Christians, we should anticipate being hated: 

Christ, who between performing miracles, feeding the poor and changing the lives of many, never sinned and yet He was incessantly persecuted by "religious folk" (or arguably those who did not want to change) and finally sentenced to a brutal punishment and death as though He were a criminal. He was hated although He did no wrong.

As we go into the new year, we each should personally explore our lives for re-evaluation (before making resolutions) and meditate on the following: 

1. What is my cause? 
2. Am I truly taking a stand for Christ or am I compromising my faith due to social pressure? 
3. Am I mindful of the things that can advance the kingdom of God? 

Can you stand to be hated? Better yet, can you stand to be hated for the cause of Christ?