Jesus teaches us how to fear God and not men. [Proverbs 9:10]
JOHN 7:1-13
1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. [Mark 3:31-35, 6:3]
6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not [yet, KJV] going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.
10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”
12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. [Proverbs 29:25]
HATRED IN THE BIBLE
- There are times to love and hate (Ecclesiastes 3:8)
- God hates wickedness (Proverbs 6:16-19 & Revelation 2:6)
- God’s people are called to hate evil (Psalm 45:7; 101:3 & Romans 12:9)
- God has in times past expressed hatred towards wicked people (Malachi 1:3 & Romans 9:13)
- God has allowed His people to hate the wicked (Psalm 119:113; 139:21-22)
- God loves wicked people in this age (John 3:16, Romans 5:9-11, & 2 Peter 3:9)
- God’s people are to love and pray for wicked people in this age (Matthew 5:43-48)
- Hence, the popular phrase is true, “Love sinner, hate the sin.”
