For Christians

[jimmiej]

My fellow believers:

How do you interpret the following passages?

John 15:18,19
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

John 17:14
"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world."

1 John 3:13
"Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you."

 

[LadyZolt]

I interpret it: Jesus isn't focused on what the world is doing. He said He would actually bring division -- if anyone loves someone (mother, father, daughter, etc.) more than Him, that person is not worthy of Him. We should be focused on what He has planned for us for eternity. "Store up your treasures in heaven." So, the world hates Him because the world belongs to Satan (see the passage where Satan tempts Jesus by showing major cities and offering them to Jesus if Jesus will bow down before him -- Luke 4:1-13). If we belong to Jesus truly, Satan sees that in us and "the world" will hate us. People in the world do what they think is right, but Jesus asks us to follow Him and what He asks us to do.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[N&B'smom]

I think it goes along with the way Christians are treated. It seems much of the world is against Christianity. I believe I just read yesterday where Christians were referred to as 'Christian Taliban'.

I think that it is stating that Christians should not be surprised that they are treated poorly, much of the world has little respect for God so they will certainly not have respect for those that believe in Him either.

 

[Mr Man]

It makes me happy and content.

 

[jimmiej]

It makes me happy and content.

Right on!

 

[jimmiej]

I think it goes along with the way Christians are treated. It seems much of the world is against Christianity. I believe I just read yesterday where Christians were referred to as 'Christian Taliban'.

I think that it is stating that Christians should not be surprised that they are treated poorly, much of the world has little respect for God so they will certainly not have respect for those that believe in Him either.

Read the book of Acts & see how the Apostles were hated. Most of them gave their lives for the Gospel. Paul wrote most of the NT from a prison cell.

 

[Saxsoon]

Very powerful passages that I should use sometimes to keep perspective.

 

[metalis4ever]

I think it goes along with the way Christians are treated. It seems much of the world is against Christianity. I believe I just read yesterday where Christians were referred to as 'Christian Taliban'.

I think that it is stating that Christians should not be surprised that they are treated poorly, much of the world has little respect for God so they will certainly not have respect for those that believe in Him either.

I'm not attacking you please do not interpret it as such. But take a look at History and you will see why certain people treat Christians the way they do. Furthermore Christianity has far and away the most followers worldwide ( est. 2.1 Billion). Also there are more people walking this Earth that believe in a Christian God than the other two major Modern Religions (Islam and Judaism) combined. All Major Modern Religions have had their spells of misguided hatred and violence, therefore there are bound to be people in this world who do not like Christians, Muslims, Jews etc.. due to the errors and atrocities of the past and present. Really it has nothing to do with God but rather what humans have chosen to do in his/her/it's name across all Religions, Societies, Cultures and modern Historical periods.

Now regarding the OP, I am not a Christian but since you are one and should have an open heart please allow me to expound my interpretation of these wonderful pieces of scripture.
I think that the passages are trying to tell us that one must be willing to sacrifice for faith not physically of course because Jesus has already done that for us. He was nailed to the cross so we would not have to suffer the same for our beliefs. Those who do not believe "hate" the believers for this fact because they know that nothing could break the bond of faith that Jesus created when he died for our sins. So believers stand tall in the face of hatred and oppression of the non-believers ( symbolized by the "world") for Jesus has chosen the believers to enter into an eternity of peace even if faced with torment on Earth.

 

[ford family]

I think it goes along with the way Christians are treated. It seems much of the world is against Christianity. I believe I just read yesterday where Christians were referred to as 'Christian Taliban'.

Is that a branch of the "take things out of context because it makes my argument look better" Taliban?

ford family

 

[N&B'smom]

Is that a branch of the "take things out of context because it makes my argument look better" Taliban?

ford family

They were referred to as the Taliban because of rules at a Christian school.

jimmiej - I have read the book of Acts. I don't have a problem with being treated differently. It's expected.

I was just answering your question... I feel that we're SUPPOSED to be treated differently. If we fit in with the world, that's a problem.

 

[kristilew]

We are called to be in the world but not of it. Our choices should be made according to Christ's standard, not the standard of everyone around us.

 

[Galahad]

If we fit in with the world, that's a problem.

That actually sums it up quite nicely.

 

[claudia]

We are called to be in the world but not of it. Our choices should be made according to Christ's standard, not the standard of everyone around us.

this is pretty much what I was going to post..
oh and N&B's Mom... just remember it is spiritual warfare......

 

[N&B'smom]

We are called to be in the world but not of it. Our choices should be made according to Christ's standard, not the standard of everyone around us.

claudia - I know but thanks for the reminder. (And by the way, I love that picture in your signature, it always brings a smile to my face. My kids love it too!)

 

[cabanafrau]

To me it points out that satan has power to operate quite freely in the world. It's a reminder to focus on God's word, which is literally not only what Jesus would do, it's what He did. When he went out into the wilderness & was tempted, He did not take on a mantle of power in His own name, rather deferred to the power of His Father in heaven.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

They were referred to as the Taliban because of rules at a Christian school.

jimmiej - I have read the book of Acts. I don't have a problem with being treated differently. It's expected.

I was just answering your question... I feel that we're SUPPOSED to be treated differently. If we fit in with the world, that's a problem.

Well stated!!!

 

[jimmiej]

If we fit in with the world, that's a problem.

IA.

To everyone: How do you think this applies to today's social issues? The church's (and I believe the Bible's) stance of "Love the sinner, hate the sin" doesn't play well in today's world.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

IA.

To everyone: How do you think this applies to today's social issues? The church's (and I believe the Bible's) stance of "Love the sinner, hate the sin" doesn't play well in today's world.

But again, we're not supposed to measure to the world's standards. Of course, the world doesn't like it. In general, people do not like boundaries placed on them, they don't like to be told that something they want to do or that they like to do is wrong. If there are no absolute rights and wrongs, then people can do whatever they want without guilt or remorse.

 

[claudia]

claudia - I know but thanks for the reminder. (And by the way, I love that picture in your signature, it always brings a smile to my face. My kids love it too!)

Shelby, I try to remind myself of the same thing all the time . I find it so comforting and I am glad that you do too. sometimes it can be rough when you think it is "you" that is being attacked and then I remember and realize what it really is. I am glad you and the kids like the pic....it was just so cute I couldn't resist it!!

Off topic...I noticed your cancer survivor ribbon. I am a thyroid cancer survivor....Yeah Us!!

 

[clgwli]

My fellow believers:

How do you interpret the following passages?

John 15:18,19
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

He was speaking to the apostles and warning them that their journey would not be an easy one.

John 17:14
"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world."

This was part of a prayer Jesus was saying. In context of the whole chapter I take it as him hoping that they will be protected as much as possible while they are dealing with those hating them.
"I'm not asking you take them out of the world, but to kee them safe from the evil."

1 John 3:13
"Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you."

This part of the epistle was written to tell those in the early church how to be good Christians. That line was telling them that even when there are those who are like Cain and treat them poorly to still act as a good Christian.
That is kind of simplifying it but it is how I take that section as a whole.

As a Christian I believe it is our duty to understand the whole passage and not just one line at a time. Taking things out of the context in which they were written can lead to misunderstanding and incorrect interpretation of the verse and honestly the Bible as a whole.
I only say that to explain why I didn't pick just the verse and make a judgement on it. I cannot do it that way ever. I need to know who wrote it, to whom they wrote it and when it was written. All that is very important when understanding a book like the Bible.