Numerous news sources are reporting that North Korea has banned any imports with markings resembling a cross. Math students must be cautious when they draw the plus sign, making sure the vertical and horizontal lines are of equal length so the vertical line isn’t longer and appears like a cross. The UK government says Christians have no right to wear a cross at work. In Italy, a young Muslim boy attacked and beat a 12-year-old girl for wearing a crucifix. I could write pages of examples that are taking place around the world including here in America. If it weren’t so sad, such reactions to the simple mark of an elongated plus sign or cross would be humorous. Yet, the world of non-Christians hates the symbol because it has become the emblem of Christianity. Jesus warned believers, you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Mat 24:9). That hatred has extended from just His name to any symbol the world perceives as representing Christ Jesus.
Have you ever considered why people hate Christianity so much? The answer goes back to, or even prior to creation with Satan’s fall and his hatred for God. Even casual readers of scripture can trace manifestations of his hatred for the Lord and His people all through the Bible. Jesus came to manifest the Father. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (Joh 1:14). Jesus also taught, I am the Light of the world (John 8:12). In contrast, to Jesus being the light, Satan is darkness. The devil’s realm is darkness, which represents unbelief, hatred, sin, ignorance, and evil. Jesus’ purpose for coming was to deliver people out of darkness into His light. “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness (Joh 12:46). Yet, so many people are afraid of the light. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (Joh 3:20). When I have worked outside past sunset and come in the house into the light, I see just how dirty and greasy I am. Jesus told His disciples, You are the light of the world (Mat 5:14). Sinners are uncomfortable around Christians because they are light and that light exposes how ‘dirty’ they are. More and more, their uncomfortableness has turned into hatred.
My job prior to attending Bible College required I have access to numerous buildings so I could repair equipment twenty-four hours a day. This meant I accumulated a huge ring of keys. One day, the amateur radio club president came and asked if he could borrow my key to the roof of a certain building, which was the tallest building in town so he could install an antenna. I told him no because he didn’t have permission from the owner. About a month later, a plain brown late model car drove up and two men in brown suits came into the shop. They took out their FBI badges and asked to use my key to this same roof. Without hesitation, I took the key off my ring and handed it to them. They had the authorization because they represented the FBI. Another reason the world hates Christians is they are afraid of us because of the name we represent and the authority that comes with the name. The demons also believe—and tremble with fear (Jam 2:19 GNT). But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene–walk” (Act 3:6)! As representatives of the name of Jesus, we remind evil doers of God and because the world hates God, they hate you. Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you (1Jn 3:13).
Increasingly, we live in a world that hates us. Satan uses this to intimidate believers and bring fear into our lives hoping it will make us hide our light. We can’t stop being a light although we can hide our light for fear of ridicule and persecution. No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light (Luk 11:33). Remember, Satan fears the light. When he sees your light shining, he sees God. A powerful weapon against Satan I have learned, when I discern darkness invaliding my home, or surrounding my life, I ask the Lord to shine His light to this darkness. Everyone knows what happens when a candle is lit or we turn on a small flashlight in the darkest room—darkness leaves. In this world of darkness, Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Mat 5:16). Remember this promise Jesus gave us. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man (Luk 6:22). Don’t allow the devil to intimate you into hiding your light. We never have to fear the one who can only kill the body, but can’t touch the soul. Sad but I do have to laugh at North Korea who is so afraid of an elongated plus sign. They should fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Sustaining Word for the Week: The world may hate you but you are blessed, you have authority in His name, and they are afraid of you.