Read and believe in Jesus

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” And, “Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.” John 15:19 & 23.

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The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – In the first half of chapter 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a grapevine to show the close connection He has with His disciples and all true believers. Without Him, they can do nothing. But by remaining “in” Him and submitting to the vinedresser’s wise pruning, they can become abundant fruit-bearers.

Other blessings of abiding in Christ are guidance in prayer and promised answers, as well as assurance of both His and the Father’s love.

Jesus urges the disciples (and us) to obey the Father’s commandments, just as He has always done. And the result of this abiding and obeying and loving others, as Jesus did? His friendship and fullness of joy!

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John 15:18-25. 

Abiding in Jesus and obeying His commands, loving others sacrificially, being fruitful, and being loved and called Jesus’ friends are the bright, JOYFUL side of being a true believer. But there is a dark, hate-filled side as well that Jesus now prepares His disciples for.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated ME before it hated you.“

“You are not OF the world. I chose you OUT of the world; therefore, the world hates you.”

“If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

And note the hatred of the world goes both ways (up and down from Jesus). Because of Jesus’ teaching of God’s words, doing the miracles God ordained, and obeying His Father in everything, the world hates HIM, though they may not realize it!

“Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.

Why the hatred? Because of their sin. They refuse to accept the free offer of Jesus to come to God in faith and repentance, turning from their sin and being forgiven. And so, they remain in their guilt, and hate all that reminds them of it.

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(NOTE: As I (we) well know, feeling guilty and carrying unforgiven sin around makes me very unhappy, resentful, and hateful to everyone around me! Praise God, He has provided a way to be forgiven: confession and belief. 1 John 1:9)

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But it’s worse for the world when they reject Jesus, for God sent Him that they might be forgiven and experience eternal life (John 3:16), and they REFUSED His offer!! (That’s like punching God in the face!)

Because of their sin, the unbelieving world unwittingly fulfilled scripture. “They hated Me without a cause.” (Psalm 35:19, 69:4)

But… Jesus offers consolation to His own.

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John 15:25-26.

Jesus again reminds the disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to them. He is their helper, the Spirit of Truth, directly from the Father.

The Spirit will bear TRUE witness about Jesus, His coming, His words and works, and His obedience in everything the Father asked of Him. With this precious promise of Help from above, THEY will be able to witness boldly about Jesus.

Yes, there will be persecution and even martyrdom for them, but they will KNOW the truth from the Spirit, who speaks like Jesus and causes them to remember everything that Jesus has said.

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