“The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come. When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.” John 7:7-9
This scenario deals with a conversation between Jesus and His brothers. There was a Jewish festival in Judea and His brothers urged Him to go and openly display His works. Jesus told them His time (to die) has not yet come and He must move discreetly because the Jews wanted to kill Him.
Jesus told His brothers to go to the festival as they were not in danger and He would remain in Galilee.
His brothers did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and his mission was to be crucified for the sins of all humanity. If His brothers understood who Jesus was and His calling from God, there would have been no argument. They would have submitted to the wisdom of Jesus.
The significant part of this story is Jesus telling His brothers the world cannot hate you but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.
You and I live in a world that hates Jesus and wants to overthrow His influence and authority. Jesus brings light to the darkness of the world. He exposes the evil intentions of mankind and the hypocrisy of religion.
Jesus boldly states He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to God except through Him. He defies religion and hates evil.
Jesus simply invites all to come to Him by faith. He forgives your sins, restores you to God, and implants the Holy Spirit to dwell within you.
You are a light for God and the world hates you. Like Jesus, Satan wants to destroy you. It is imperative to live in oneness with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. He will guide your footsteps and give you discretion in dealing with the ways of the world.
Remember, the world is not your friend. Your sanctuary is living with Jesus and abiding in the Holy Spirit.
Hal Hollister Ministry 