Irrational Hatred of Christians: Luke 12:49-53
““49) I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! 50) But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51) Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52) for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53) They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”” Luke 12:49-53
These verses are often wrongly used to justify interpersonal conflicts and church splits. Jesus did not come to divide Christians.
The dividing point is that non Christian’s hate Jesus Christ and those who know, love and follow Him. Christians are called to love all people, including their enemies. They should never be the problem.
Jesus was referring to a demonically driven hatred of Christians. The animosity behind persecution and martyrdom is irrational. The religious leaders who hated and crucified Jesus were driven by jealousy and unfounded rage. Jesus had done nothing to provoke them, yet they hated Him.
This hateful spirit is unfounded and irrational. It is often manifest by Hindu or Islamic mobs against Christians. But the same divisive spirit is present on college campuses where Christians are hated and maligned.
In John 15:18-25, Jesus talked at length about this “hate factor.”The world hated Him without cause and He promised they would hate His followers as well.
But some Christians suffer for stupidity’s sake. They are rude, arrogant, brash, judgmental and unloving. I have met my share of them and they turn my stomach as well. They are not living agape love or displaying the fruit of the Spirit. When people dislike them, they are reaping what they have sown. This behavior is not excusable by Jesus. (See 1 Peter 4:14-19)
In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus was describing the irrational hatred of Christian’s. He was unmasking the “spirit of anti-Christ.” It will become increasingly common in the end times.
According to 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10, Jesus will avenge those who suffer hatred by the ungodly when He returns. Never loose heart in suffering for Christ with a clear conscience. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
““49) I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! 50) But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51) Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52) for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53) They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”” Luke 12:49-53
These verses are often wrongly used to justify interpersonal conflicts and church splits. Jesus did not come to divide Christians.
The dividing point is that non Christian’s hate Jesus Christ and those who know, love and follow Him. Christians are called to love all people, including their enemies. They should never be the problem.
Jesus was referring to a demonically driven hatred of Christians. The animosity behind persecution and martyrdom is irrational. The religious leaders who hated and crucified Jesus were driven by jealousy and unfounded rage. Jesus had done nothing to provoke them, yet they hated Him.
This hateful spirit is unfounded and irrational. It is often manifest by Hindu or Islamic mobs against Christians. But the same divisive spirit is present on college campuses where Christians are hated and maligned.
In John 15:18-25, Jesus talked at length about this “hate factor.”The world hated Him without cause and He promised they would hate His followers as well.
But some Christians suffer for stupidity’s sake. They are rude, arrogant, brash, judgmental and unloving. I have met my share of them and they turn my stomach as well. They are not living agape love or displaying the fruit of the Spirit. When people dislike them, they are reaping what they have sown. This behavior is not excusable by Jesus. (See 1 Peter 4:14-19)
In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus was describing the irrational hatred of Christian’s. He was unmasking the “spirit of anti-Christ.” It will become increasingly common in the end times.
According to 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10, Jesus will avenge those who suffer hatred by the ungodly when He returns. Never loose heart in suffering for Christ with a clear conscience. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
