1Jn 3:13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
1Jn 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
There was a time when hatred was merely a strong emotional dislike toward something or someone. We could use the word in a thousand different contexts that presented no threat or action coming from our hatred. It was merely a strong opinion of preference.
Now the word is a reason, a motive that drives death and destruction. After an event, we await the results of an investigation to find out what the person hated enough to commit their crimes. What drove them to this? Who do they represent?
We now have hate crimes – those targeting a race or lifestyle, nowadays, even a political position.
Right about now a week ago, a man was at a Valero station, waiting for the moment he would enter a church with the intentions of killing everyone inside. What was going through his mind? We found out he had domestic issues with his mother-in-law who went to that church. Domestic issues? How do domestic issues develop into such hatred to kill?
Usually, the goal of isolated shootings, or bombings, or knifings, or flying airplanes into buildings is to punish someone or something they hate.
They hate because of what someone did to them. Which is a personal vendetta?
They hate because of what someone represents. Which is a social, religious or cultural insult.
They hate because someone stands for something they cannot tolerate.
Hate is driven by the larger and more complex word – EVIL.
This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)
Hate stems from comparison.
Hate grows from contrast.
But hate tells a broader story.
Hatred is an issue of a damaged heart.
The heart drives the life.
Pro_4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
Pro_27:19 As in water, face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.
Jer_17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Pro_6:18 There is a heart that devises wicked plans, and Feet that run rapidly to evil,
Rom_1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
In that darkness dwells an enemy who will take this weak and evil heart and use it to his goal of stealing, killing and destroying.
Mat_15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. Insults, demeaning, slander.
Mat_15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.
How do you fix this damaged heart that is driving them to do evil?
Legislate morality – making laws to make people make moral decisions.
How do you make hate filled people not kill people? Make a law against it. And that will make them make the moral decision not to kill?
People texting while driving is a critical problem. To deal with it a law is made that it is illegal to do so. Has that stopped anyone?
Restrictions have always seemed to be the preventative solution. But the courts are full of cases and prisons are full of people who ignored the restrictions.
Or take away the mechanism of their hatred.
Just take away all things evil people have used to steal, kill and destroy: airplane, fertilizer and diesel fuel, Bombs hidden in backpacks, Pressure cookers filled with shrapnel, guns, Knives, Home Depot rental trucks.
Hatred always finds a way
What is the hatred fueled by?
Some mental instability
Lack of restraint – nothing stopping them
Dealing with people whose:
Conscience is seared. No check or guilt in their hatred.
Serial killers lack empathy – the driving force of humanity.
Animals kill unemotionally
These people have disintegrated to the mindset of animals.
Radicalized – under the influence of others
Some have lived their lifetime being taught the hatred of others
TV, movies, songs, portraying what makes evil seem normal activity
Killing games
Rage – what fills your bucket is what’s going to spill out.
Impulses – desires waiting for an opportunity
Without control impulses lead to planned events.
Lust – assaults, attacks, inappropriate behavior, even rape
Greed/envy – theft, looting
Hate - murder
Hurt people hurt people.
What do you do to prevent this from happening again? In reality not much.
Avoid places where these things have happened:
Movie theaters, schools, churches, concerts, tall buildings, office complexes, marathons, sidewalks.
What do you do to protect yourself and your family? Do the best you can.
Become aware. Be ready to act.
We’re working on a security plan.
We have members who carry concealed weapons or have them in their cars.
You have a pastor and other church members who will give their lives to save yours.
1Jn 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Church in Sutherland Springs wouldn’t allow guns to be carried into their building.
That is now a hot topic on the internet. Reality: our days of church being a sanctuary are over.
Like roaches – evil will find a way inside.
Issue over prayer – What good does it do?
One celeb ridiculed a politician for requesting prayers. Celeb caught flack and said he meant instead of doing something tangible – gun control
Gun control will stop evil? Are you serious?
How do you control guns? The guns don’t need controlling. Doing the job of vetting may help to keep guns away from some who have no business owning a gun, but anyone who wants a gun can get a gun—legally or illegally.
The control has to start in the heart.
The bigger question is: How do you prevent evil from taking over a heart on any level?
Jer_4:14 Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?
Eze_36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Why would we need a new heart? The old one is bent on its own desires.
Hos_11:7 So My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him.
How do we get a new heart?
Rom_10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Then live with confidence God holds us through whatever happens in this life. The only secure place we can be in in His hands.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
Joh_14:1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going."
Missionary and wife returning to US. We’re not home yet.
Things are going to happen that hurt us or those we love. We are not immune or protected from bad things happening. Cancer, car wrecks, heart attacks, broken bones, catastrophic illness. War, terrorists, madmen dictators or people so filled with hate they want to take our lives.
So what do we cling to?
Joh_14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Php 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
TAKEAWAYS:
1. We live in a troubled world.
2. We can live in fear and paranoia or faith and peace.
3. As Children of God, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
4. Our ultimate security is in Him.
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