THE GOD-HATING WORLD

Introduction

It is amazing that when you know how something works you understand it better. For example, I received a lock-pick set one Christmas that included a see-through padlock. This reveals the inner working of a padlock. It shows how, when the key is inserted, the various pins fall into alignment, allowing the chamber to turn and the pock to open. Before I realized this, I could never pick a lock. I tried and tried, always failing. However, after spending some time on YouTube and examining this see-through lock, I learned how locks work, which enabled me to pick them.

Now, before we continue I want to say that I do not go around picking locks! I am a Sherlock Holmes fan, and since he picked locks I wanted to give it a try. But knowing how locks work enabled me to pick them.

Knowing how something works not only broadens our understanding, it helps us know how to use it more effectively. Knowing how to use a remote control for the television enables you to remain seated while changing channels. Knowing how Cruise Control works enable you to relax your right foot on long journeys. Knowing how blenders work allow you to use it correctly.

As believers, it is important to know how our world works, because our existence is meant to glorify God we must know the most biblically-based manner in which to live. John, the aged apostle, pens this letter to call believers back to the basics of the Christian faith. Believers live in this world. We remain in this life, and therefore John provides rich insight into life in this world.

We are going to spend our time learning how this world works. As we do, we must remember that the world hates God. This helps us as we move and live in the world. I originally planned to preach verses 13-15, but as I prepared the enormous truths found in verse 13 demanded its own sermon.

I. THE APOSTLE’S COMMAND EXAMINED- 1 John 3:13

Our first point is to examine is the command itself. John is issuing a command: stop being surprised about the world’s treatment of believers. But within this command are several points worthy of our attention.

A. THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMAND - do not be surprised

This command is a command to stop being surprised. This word is used by John in his gospel account of the life of Christ. For example, it describes the disciples’ reaction upon finding Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman (John 4:27). It describes the Jewish leaders surprise at the teaching authority and knowledge of Jesus (John 7:15). It is a state of complete unbelief. Like little children watching a magician in wide-eyed wonder, John tells believers to stop being surprised and shocked at the world’s treatment.

Applying this to today, we should not be surprised when the government or other organizations seek to sue businesses owned and operated by Christians. We should not be shocked when prayer and Scripture reading are banned from public education. We should not wonder why certain ideas and world views are taught in their place. John says, “Stop doing this! The world hates us.”

B. THE TIMING OF THE COMMAND- [stop] being surprised

And the way John wrote this informs us that these believers were shocked. And John tells them, “Stop being surprised that the world hates you!” It is like when parents tell their children, “Stop spraying water all over the floor!” They are in the act of spraying water on the floor, and our command is to stop. It is the same with these readers of John’s letter, and I am afraid we are no different than they were.

You see, we are often surprised when the world does things that are opposed to God and His Word. And we are even more surprised when unbelievers hate us. John tells us, “Stop being surprised about it!”

We should never wonder how people can persecute believers. In fact, the Scripture teaches us that it should surprise us when we are not persecuted. John MacArthur, one of my favorite preachers reminds us of the inevitableness of persecution, “And, by the way, being persecuted is the cost of discipleship. ‘Take up your cross and follow Me.’ for some, there’s death in this. For all, there’s a measure of persecution. That measure of persecution is related to your faithfulness, your faithfulness.” (John MacArthur, “Why the World Hates Christians, Part 1,” Grace Community Church, 4 October 2015, accessed 2 May 2020) John (the apostle, not the MacArthur) tells us to stop being surprised! We are prone to be surprised constantly because we tend to view the world through a different lens than that of the Scriptures. You see, we have come to hold the belief that man is basically good. And while it is certainly true that, in general, we do not see people running around murdering everyone (though we certainly see a similar situation in Genesis chapter 6), man is not basically good. Remember the words of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, “From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.” (VI:4) Stop being surprised!

So, we have seen the Apostle’s Command Examined, and now we will turn our attention to the God-Hating World.

II. THE GOD-HATING WORLD

The command is not to be surprised, but this surprise comes on the heels of the world. The Scriptures use the word world in several instances. One instance covers the human race, such as in John 3:16. It is used of the governmental authorities in Matthew 4:8. It is used in a global sense in Mark 14:9.

Now, there is another sense in which the word world conveys. We addressed this usage in chapter 2:15-17 where we learned from David Wells. I quoted David Wells in that sermon covering those verses, but it demands repeating for its help in the current context.

A. THE ESSENCE OF THE WORLD

He defines the world as “the collective expression of every society’s refusal to bow before God, to receive his truth, to obey his commandments, or to believe in his Christ.”

David Wells, God In the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994), 39.

This collective expression is described in 1 John 2:15-16 as “the desires of the flesh,” “the desires of the eyes,” and “pride of life.” This collective expression refuses to bow down to God and actively fights against Him. And as believers, we His children (3:1), and because we are His children, the world hates us. This is John’s line of reasoning.

But, as I mentioned at the beginning of the sermon, knowing how things work helps us understand how to use it or live with it more effectively. So I want to spend a few moments considering this collective expression of rebellion against God. Because as we get a better understanding of the world, we are enabled to better obey the command not to be surprised at the hatred.

The beginning of the hatred is found in Genesis 3 where the serpent tempts Adam and Eve. And throughout the Old Testament we see traces of the world’s hatred. Consider the Egyptians in Exodus. Pharaoh, and the people of Egypt, refused to submit to God’s rule. Or, consider the Canaanites, a bane in Israel’s side for the majority of their existence. Consider the Philistines in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Or the rebellious kings of the northern ten tribes of Israel, led by the blasphemous acts of King Jeroboam who created another system of worship opposing the law of God in 1 Kings 12:25-33. These and many more examples can be gleaned from the Old Testament, displaying the hatred of the world for God and His people. Then we move to the Gospels, where the Son of God, the redeemer, is opposed by His own people (nationally, not spiritually). The text that Rev. Roper read this morning is the same that John is addressing in our present passage. This collective expression of hatred to God is found across time spans, cultural boundaries, and any other designation imaginable. Consider, for example, those who claim the name of Christ, they say they are followers of God, and yet deny His Word, His law, and His truth. Even within the ranks of Christianity the world finds its allies. They say we must not preach the truth in order to avoid offending. Do not be surprised, John says, that the world hates us. This World is a God-hating world, and the world hates believers by extension. This is John’s case in 3:4-10 when he compares the origin of believers with unbelievers. The world is a God-hating, believer-hating world. And it is important that we see this expansive view of the world, because sometimes we tend to tie it in with a specific form of dress, music, beverage, etc. And while those things can certainly be demonstrative of a God-hating attitude, it is not limited to those aspects.

However, I want to end our time this morning looking at this idea of hating.

B. THE ENMITY OF THE WORLD

The command is not to be surprised. The command covers the world, this collective expression against God. The command concerns the hatred of the world. There are several directions from which we could consider this idea of hatred. One of the easiest ways is to contrast it with love. For example, many people in our town love Clemson and hate Alabama. Where I grew up they loved UNC and hated Duke. These sports references are helpful in aiding us to see the truth behind this hatred. By the way, this comparison is also used to describe God’s love for righteousness and hatred for sin (Hebrews 1:6; Psa. 45:6-7).

This describes the world’s feelings toward God and His children. The world, this collective expression of rebellion that spans time and cultures, hates God and His children. It is a hatred, as John points out, that leads to murder (Cain and Abel in 1 John 3:12). Don’t be surprised that the world hates you.

CONCLUSION

Knowing how the lock worked enabled me to pick is more efficiently. Knowing how a blender works allows you to use it correctly. And knowing how the world works provides us with the perspective, the biblical lens, through which to view the world.

Don’t be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. It has hated God long before your or my arrival, and it will be here (unless God intervenes) long after we depart from this life. So, I want to offer you several uses, at the Puritans termed it, of this teaching.

Actively stop yourself from viewing the world as basically good (1 John 2:15-17)

By focusing on the biblical presentation of the world, you will be enabled to maintain a heavenly focus (Col. 3:1)

To remember that the world hates us, and that we are in active combat with the forces of evil (1 John 3:12-13; Eph. 6:10-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-6)

To remind yourself of your need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ