"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you."
— John 15:18
There are times that the Bible makes it clear that Christians will be hated by the world around them.
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." — John 15:18
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." — Romans 8:36
"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." — John 17:14
"The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil." — John 7:7
But Also — Be Thought Well Of
But there are also times that the Bible says that we should be thought well of and honored by our neighbors.
"Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." — 1 Timothy 3:7
"For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man." — 2 Corinthians 8:21
Both Things Should Happen
Both things should happen.
If you're faithful, if you're fighting to follow Jesus, then there will be those who love you, and those who hate you. That's it.
That's the line for the consistent Christian: you will be loved by some, you will be hated by some. That's the rub.
To the degree that you are faithful to the scriptures, these two principles will play out in your life. Just make sure that you're being loved and hated for the right reason — faithfulness.
"And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, 'He is a good man,' others said, 'No, he is leading the people astray.'" — John 7:12
