Why Surprised?

Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. - 1 John 3:13

In biblical terms, "world" can have both spiritual and physical meanings. Physically, or perhaps geographically, it refers to the known regions of the globe inhabited (or not) by humanity. In this context, Paul spoke of taking the gospel to the entire "known" world as Jesus had commanded all of His disciples before His ascension.

Spiritually-speaking, "world" refers to a system of thought or philosophy espoused by most that is neither rooted in nor grounded upon God's truth, and it is this "world" of which John writes when he states that it hates those of us who believe in Christ.

Which brings us to the word "hate." To hate is to ultimately wish (or desire) someone or something into nonexistence. If I hate something or someone, I want it or him to disappear. So, when we fully comprehend the meaning of the two terms, "world" and "hate," why would we ever wonder at the severity of the world's hatred aimed at those of us who follow the Savior?

Perhaps the greater surprise is that in the face of such hatred, God still so loved those lost in this world and has called us to do the same.

There are those who hate Christianity and call their hatred an all-embracing love for all religions. - G. K. Chesterton