Hating the Father

He who hates Me hates My Father also (John 15:23).

The word ‘hate’ is miseo and means ‘to detest’, to ‘love less’, even ‘to persecute’. Jesus had spoken this to the disciples before. But like all things repeated in Scripture, the repetition is for emphasis - it is a truth that is not to be missed. 

The Apostle Paul wrote (Romans 10:1-3), Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. The Jews had a certain zeal (zelos: heat, fervent mind) for God, but it was not a zeal to know Him personally. Through all the centuries of their formal religious practice and upholding Mosaic Law, which they honored with great passion and pride, their focus was on the externals - the forms of their religion - not the internals - a personal relationship and walk with God. Had this been the case, they would have eagerly awaited the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, and would have recognized and honored Him when He appeared.

The truth is, those who reject Jesus do not know God. Jesus said as much in His High Priestly prayer (John 17:3), And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. They rejected Jesus, so they rejected God the Father who sent Jesus. As a result, they missed the opportunity of salvation as a nation. The Kingdom did not come to them as God had desired, but would be delayed until a much later time during the Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom. 

The same is true the world over today. Countless billions of people are, and have been very religious - and very fervent in the practice of their religion. But apart from Jesus Christ, they have no personal knowledge or relationship with the true and living God, and therefore have no hope of salvation. Religion does not save. A personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ is the only means of personal salvation. 

Be aware of this truth, for it is biblical truth. There are not many ways to God. There is only one way to God. I am the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus said. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). Paul, the Apostle, wrote (1Corinthians 10:19-21) What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Solomon said (2x for emphasis), There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Sadly, such is the state of religion in today’s world. Amen.

Pastor Martin